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ILLINOIS  HISTORICAL  SUMVEt 


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MAGNIFICENT 
WHISTLE  STOP 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://archive.org/details/magnificentwhistOOmend 


MAGNIFICENT 
WHISTLE  STOP 

The  100-YEAR  STORY 
of  MENDOTA,  ILL. 


Published  by 
Mendota  Centennial  Committee,  Inc. 


Copyright  1953 

THE    MENDOTA    CENTENNIAL    COMMITTEE,    Inc. 


Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 
for  the  Publishers  by  Wayside  Press,  Inc. 


Vn'5?7  ^.Wiid.-W 


M9?f 


CONTENTS 


9  Introduction 

11  Don't  You  Hear  the  Whistle  Blowing? 

19  Full  Steam  Ahead:  the  First  50  Years 

41  and  For  the  People 

57  Hitching  Posts  to  Parking  Meters 

77  Gentlemen  of  the  Press 

83  Flambeaux 

97  Heavenward  Point  the  Spires 

119  the  Mendota  that  Slumbers 

123  a  Lodging  for  the  Night 

131  the  Four  Horsemen 

139  Drink  to  Me  Only  with  Thine  Eyes 

155  it's  an  Old  German  Custom 

159  East  Side  West  Side 

163  Wing  Ding  Tonight! 

173  the  Postman  Always  Rings  Twice 

179  Banking  in  Mendota 

187  Blessings  of  Civilization 

201  some  Hot  Times  in  the  Old  Town 

209  "in  School  Days" 

241  Take  Me  Out  to  the  Ball  Game 

261  Steady  Goeth  the  Mill 

287  How's  Business? 

299  Pistol  Packin'  Papas 

311  Country  Doctor 

329  "and  the  White  Crosses,  Row  on  Row" 

347  Fire  and  Fall  Back:  the  Second  50  Years 

361  Local  Boy  makes  Good 

387  AND  NOW,   ON  THE   FAR  RlGHT  ! 

391  Because  of  You 

571  the  Human  Urge 

Illustrations,  33-40;  233-240 

MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


w 


FROM    VV  HOM  THIS  BOOK 

Researchers,  Compilers,  Editors  and  Writers 

KENNETH  B.  BUTLER  GEORGE  C.  LlKENESS 

JEANETTE  KaRGER  CHARLES  HENDRICK  MARIE  YOST 

jessica  nashold  george  nlsley 

alma  Davidson  alice  Pottinger  edna  Bruckner 

claude  g.  radley  mrs.  virgil  scott 

george  elsesser  mrs.  emma  mlllard  harry  schaller 

asa  sprunger  leo  j.  schwamberger 

ROBERT  H.  RECK  WILLIAM  A.  Rorison  MRS.  ETTA  Lutz 

BERTHA  KUTTER  MARGARET  V.   BLOTCH 

MRS.  VICTOR  WEDEMEYER  JAMES  E.  GALLAGHER         MABEL  E.  BROWN 


Format  Designed  by 
the  Butler  Typo-Design  research  center 


Me: 


THIS  IS  1V1ENDOTA 


ocated  midway  between  Chicago  and  Davenport  to  the  East 
and  West,  and  Rockford  and  Peoria  to  the  North  and  South,  is  an 
agricultural  and  industrial  community  boasting  a  population  of  ap- 
proximately 5,400  and  an  age  of  100  years. 

"Magnificent  Whistle  Stop"  is  the  story  of  that  city — Mendota, 
Illinois.  It  is  a  lusty  yarn,  for  Mendota's  history  has  been  virile  and 
its  people  have  never  lacked  for  color. 

It  is  a  tale  of  success  and  defeat,  pride  and  humility,  triumph 
and  disaster;  by  turns  it  is  gay  and  tragic,  brazen  and  sedate,  awe- 
inspiring  and  ludicrous. 

Perhaps  there  is  nothing  singularly  unique  about  Mendota.  Its 
Chamber  of  Commerce  calls  it  "The  World's  Greatest  Little  City", 
but  we  have  no  doubt  that  from  many  other  "Great  Little  Cities" 
would  come  challenges  to  that.  Other  towns  of  similar  size  may  also 
lay  claim  to  more  striking  achievements,  greater  disasters,  bigger  this 
or  bigger  that;  perhaps  they  are  right. 

What  does  make  Mendota  a  "Magnificent"  Whistle  Stop  is  that 
its  people  think  it  is  magnificent,  and  love  it,  not  only  for  its  long- 
established  virtues,  but  also  for  its  weaknesses.  They  pause  now,  at 
100  years,  to  survey  the  progress  of  the  past — but  their  hearts,  their 
minds,  their  creative  energies  are  aimed  at  the  future. 

This,  then,  is  the  city  which  was  rediscovered  by  our  small  crew 
of  25  amateur  historians. 

If  there  ever  was  a  labor  of  love,  the  compilation  and  writing 
of  this  100-year  history  of  Mendota  is  it.    What  seemed  at  first  so 

MAGNIFICENT  WHISTLE  STOP        9 


simple  became  engrossingly  complicated,  with  time  always  an  enemy. 

This  "treasure  hunt"  took  us  through  hundreds  of  dusty  files  and 
musty  records,  old  books  and  the  meager  existing  histories  of  the 
area,  and,  most  rewardingly,  into  countless  conversations  with  those 
who  remember  "how  it  was  when.  ..." 

We  owe  so  much  to  those  many  people  who  voluntarily  took 
pen  in  hand  to  answer  our  appeals  in  The  Mendota  Reporter,  or  who 
sought  out  members  of  the  committee  to  bring  to  light  little-known 
facts,  legend  and  lore.  Unfortunately,  any  attempt  at  detailed  ac- 
knowledgments would  in  itself  fill  a  small  book. 

Unfortunately,  too,  this  work  must  be  imperfect.  Probably  it 
is  inaccurate  in  spots;  certainly  it  is  not,  could  not  be,  complete, 
for  a  city  is  molded  not  only  by  those  whose  names  are  left  blazened 
in  type  and  memory  but  also  by  those  who  in  persuasive  but  quiet 
ways  have  set  into  motion  important  developments,  transitions,  and 
trends. 

We  wish  that  their  names  might  also  appear  here,  but  have  finally 
accepted,  as  we  know  our  readers  will  also  accept,  the  fact  that  time 
and  the  inavailability  of  certain  records  make  this  impossible. 

So  much  then  for  the  how  and  why;  on  with  the  story.  Come 
with  us  on  a  fast  express  back  to  1853,  when  that  first  engine  chugged 
into  the  "Magnificent  Whistle  Stop." 

THE  EDITORS 


10         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


D, 


'ON'T  YOU  HEAR 
THE  WHISTLE  BLOWING? 


JLn  1851,  MOST  of  Illinois  was  still  unchartered  wilderness,  a  vast 
sleeping  empire  of  untilled  prairies  and  uncut  forests.  A  decade  before 
the  Indians  had  been  the  sole  inhabitants;  now  handfuls  of  pioneers 
were  stretching  out  into  the  land. 

The  major  community  in  the  state  was  Galena,  where  lead  mines 
were  in  full  swing;  Chicago  was  only  a  struggling  town  in  the  swamp 
that  bordered  Lake  Michigan,  and  hardly  a  likely  contender  for  its 
present  position  as  the  second  largest  city  in  the  nation.  Elsewhere 
there  were  only  a  few  small  communities  and  trading  posts  dotted 
about  the  map. 

Oddly  enough,  it  was  largely  because  of  Galena's  inaccessability 
that  Mendota  was  born  two  years  later.  Until  that  time,  it  had  been 
necessary  to  service  and  ship  from  the  mines  by  river,  an  unreliable 
and   increasingly   unsatisfactory  mode   of   commercial   transportation. 

In  1851,  the  Illinois  Central  was  chartered  to  build  a  railroad 
which  would  open  the  great  interior  of  the  state  to  development  and 
commerce.  This  road  bed,  705  miles  in  length,  was  to  be  the  greatest 
railroad  undertaking  of  the  day.  From  East  Dubuque,  its  route  was 
to  extend  eastward  to  Galena,  then  south  through  the  middle  of  the 
state  to  Cairo  at  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers;  a 
secondary  line  was  to  be  extended  to  Chicago  from  the  main  stem, 
branching  off  at  Centralia. 

Before  work  could  be  begun,  however,  it  was  necessary  to  pass 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP  11 


special  legislation  granting  Government  land  to  the  railroad.  Both 
Abraham  Lincoln  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  the  great  rival  statesmen 
of  the  day,  played  important  roles  in  the  enactment  of  this  legislation 
making  the  Illinois  Central  the  first  land  grant  railroad,  and  setting 
up  a  precedent  which  was  to  make  possible  in  later  years  the  great 
western  routes  to  the  Pacific  Coast. 

Actual  construction  of  the  Illinois  Central  was  begun  in  1852, 
with  virtually  all  the  labor  and  supplies  imported  from  outside  the 
state.  Construction  crews  were  recruited  all  over  the  world;  they  in- 
cluded ambitious  Irish,  English,  German,  Danish  and  Polish  laborers 
who  saw  in  the  recruitment  offer  an  opportunity  to  build  new  lives  in 
a  new  land,  rich  in  potential,  seemingly  boundless  in  scope.  Others 
came  from  the  Eastern  seaboard. 

Rails  were  shipped  from  the  steel  mills  of  England  via  New 
Orleans  and  up  the  Mississippi;  one  shipload  of  rails  went  down  in 
a  heavy  storm  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Lumber  was  brought  overland 
from  Michigan. 

Struggling  against  the  elements  and  time,  construction  crews 
under  the  direction  of  Chief  Engineer  Roswell  B.  Mason  hammered 
into  place  the  705-mile  charter  line,  slowly  but  surely  cutting  a  huge 
"Y"  across  the  map  of  Illinois. 


THE  TRAILS   MEET 

At  the  same  time,  another  infant  railroad  venture,  the  Chicago 
and  Aurora,  a  forerunner  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy,  was 
pushing  out  westward  from  Aurora. 

In  November  of  1853,  the  tracks  of  the  Chicago  and  Aurora  met 
those  of  the   Illinois  Central,  and  a  station  was  established. 

The  station  was  given  an  Indian  name  meaning  "where  two  trails 
meet":  Mendota. 

The  first  Illinois  Central  agent  was  Orrin  Ott,  who  came  to  Men- 
dota a  few  weeks  later,  later  to  be  succeeded  by  George  Henderson. 

One  of  the  division  engineers  employed  in  the  construction  of 
the  Illinois  Central  was  T.  B.  Blackstone,  who  was  later  to  become 
president  of  the  Chicago  and  Alton  railroad,  and  whose  name  was  to 
be  given  to  several  Mendota  landmarks. 

William  Cummings  was  a  member  of  the  Chicago  and  Aurora 
construction  crew  that  laid  tracks  into  Mendota.  Several  years  later 
he  became  conductor  of  a  local  passenger  train  which  left  Mendota 
for  Chicago  at  7  a.  m.  and  returned  each  evening;  from  its  inception 


12 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


until  the  time  it  was  removed  from  service,  the  train  was  known  merely 
as  "Billy's  Train." 

Mendota  became  an  important  terminal  immediately.  Shortly  after 
the  I.  C.  tracks  met  those  of  the  Chicago  and  Aurora,  train  service 
from  Chicago  to  St.  Louis  was  initiated — a  journey  taking  24  hours 
if  all  went  well.  A  passenger  would  travel  from  St.  Louis  to  Alton 
by  steamboat,  there  boarded  an  Alton  train  which  he  took  to  Bloom- 
ington.  At  Bloomington  he  would  transfer  to  the  Illinois  Central, 
riding  as  far  as  Mendota,  then  again  transferring  to  the  Chicago  and 
Aurora.  The  Chicago  and  Aurora  would  carry  him  to  Turner  Junc- 
tion, now  West  Chicago,  and  his  final  lap  would  be  via  the  Chicago 
and  Union  (now  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern). 

Meanwhile,  a  track  known  as  the  Central  Military  Tract  was  being 
extended  westward  from  Mendota  to  Galesburg,  reaching  that  city 
on  December  7,  1854.  This  road  was  merged  with  the  Chicago  and 
Aurora  line  and  permission  was  granted  by  the  Illinois  General  As- 
sembly to  change  the  name  to  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy 
Railroad. 

On  January  8,  1855,  two  days  after  the  97-mile  gap  between 
Decatur  and  Sandoval  was  completed,  the  first  through  passenger 
train  was  run  over  the  Illinois  Central  from  Cairo  to  Mendota,  thence 
to  Turner  Junction  via  the  CB&Q,  and  into  the  city  over  the  Galena 
&   Chicago  Union    (Northwestern). 

Another  important  date  in  the  histories  of  both  Mendota  and 
the  Illinois  Central  was  1855,  when  the  main  line  from  Galena  to 
Cairo  was  completed  and  two  special  trains,  one  from  Galena  to  Cairo 
and  another  from  Chicago  to  Cairo  via  Mendota  carried  at  least  600 
dignitaries  to  "Egypt";  for  most  of  the  passengers,  it  was  their  first 
view  of  southern  Illinois. 

Another  date  of  celebration  that  year  was  June  11,  when  the  rail- 
road was  completed  to  Dunleith,  opposite  Dubuque,  la.,  on  the  Missis- 
sippi River.  Again,  special  trains  traveled  north  from  Cairo  through 
Mendota.  When  the  Chicago  branch  was  finished  in  1856,  the  entire 
705-mile  charter  line  system  of  the  Illinois  Central  was  completed, 
the  longest  railroad  in  the  world. 


VITTLES  BY  WIRE 

One  reason  for  the  immediate  growth  of  Mendota's  importance 
was  the  establishment  of  a  restaurant  at  the  station.  In  those  dining- 
car-less   days  when  numerous  trains  traveled  through  the  new  com- 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP  13 


munity,  trainmen  would  canvass  passengers  as  their  trains  approached 
Mendota,  asking  how  many  wanted  meals. 

This  information  was  telegraphed  ahead  and  when  the  trains 
arrived,  hot  plates  of  food  were  ready  to  serve  to  the  weary  travelers. 
The  meal  stop  was  usually  30  minutes. 

And  railroading  was  rugged.  The  winters  were  unusually  mild, 
but  interspersed  by  sudden,  crippling  blizzards,  prompting  battles 
against  snow  and  ice.  Gleaned  from  the  files  of  1856  was  the  following 
report: 

"Mendota:  Trains  from  south  stuck  north  of  LaSalle  .  .  .  We  are 
shoveling  out  the  cuts  .  .  .  Adams  went  to  the  aid  of  engine  and  train 
stuck  in  snow  at  Forreston  .  .  .  his  engine  frozen. 

"Dec.  1:  Clarke  is  at  Polo,  snowbound.  Engines  23,  26  and  36 
are  dead  and  road  is  as  badly  blocked  as  ever.  Captain  Wells  left 
Amboy  yesterday  morning  for  Dixon,  got  into  snow  drift  7  miles 
north  of  there  .  .  .  Engine  20  and  four  cars  ran  off  track  in  deep 
cut  this  side  of  Mendota,  broke  thru  ice,  one  side  settled  down  to  the 
axles.  Other  engine  attempting  to  come  back  last  night  became  snow- 
bound and  laid  up." 

But  the  early  struggles  of  the  Illinois  Central  to  operate  were  not 
in  vain.  After  the  charter  lines  of  the  railroad  were  finished  those 
who  had  been  brought  to  Illinois  to  build  it  were  encouraged  to  stay 
and  settle  the  State.  Land  was  sold  at  extremely  low  prices  and  when 
crops  began  to  be  harvested  the  railroad  supplied  inexpensive  transpor- 
tation to  carry  the  produce  to  market. 

Agricultural  development  brought  new  towns  to  Illinois  and  new 
towns  brought  business  and  eventually  industries.  The  growth  of  the 
railroad  network  across  the  State  stimulated  commerce:  the  Illinois 
Central  was  the  real  pioneer  which  helped  bring  about  this  miracle. 


"A  DESIRABLE  LOCALITY" 

By  1865,  Mendota  was,  for  those  days  at  least,  a  large  city.  An 
Illinois  Central  publication  of  that  year  offered  the  following  de- 
scription : 

"Mendota:  88  miles  west  by  south  of  Chicago  at  the  point  where 
the  C.B.&Q.  intersects  the  Illinois  Central.  Population,  upward  of 
3,000.  The  location  of  the  place  in  the  midst  of  a  rich  grain  growing 
region  and  its  railroad  facilities  are  giving  it  a  rapid  growth  and  a 
large  amount  of  business. 

"It  contains  9  dry  goods  stores,  16  groceries,  4  hardware  and  tin 


14 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


stores,  3  furniture  stores,  and  others  of  every  variety.  Two  steam  grain 
elevators,  2  flouring  mills,  one  foundry  and  machine  shop,  one  plow 
factory,  one  planing  mill,  three  hotels,  two  banking  houses,  etc.  There 
are  seven  churches  of  different  denominations  and  six  public  schools 
besides  Mendota  College  and  the  College  Institute — both  large  brick 
edifices  affording  facilities  for  advanced  education. 

"The  land  in  this  vicinity  is  high  rolling  prairie,  interspersed 
with  groves  of  timber.  There  were  shipped  from  Mendota  last  year  on 
both  railroads  302,930  bu.  of  wheat,  584,079  bu.  corn,  188,833  bu. 
oats,  15,725  bbls.  flour,  besides  barley,  potatoes,  grass  seed,  horses, 
cattle,  hogs,  etc. 

"The  class  of  eastern  well-to-do  people  and  Germans  settling  in 
this  vicinity  is  making  it  a  desirable  locality." 


FIRST    STRUCTURES 

Mendota's  first  engine  round  house  was  built  at  the  present  site 
of  the  Mendota  Saw  Mill,  and  had  three  engine  stalls.  The  present 
round  house  was  built  in  1922.  The  first  freight  house  of  the  C.B.&Q. 
was  also  located  just  south  of  the  old  round  house;  it  was  a  wooden 
structure  and  when  abandoned  was  purchased  by  the  Prescott  family, 
moved  to  the  farm  on  West  Washington  Street  now  owned  by  Beryl 
Althouse  and  for  years  used  as  a  cattle  feeding  shed. 

The  first  local  depot  was  a  wooden  structure  and  stood  a  con- 
siderable distance  south  of  the  present  depot.  When  the  original  struc- 
ture burned  in  1885,  it  was  replaced  by  a  large,  imposing  brick  struc- 
ture that  housed  ticket  office,  dining  room,  kitchen,  hotel,  baggage 
room,  lunch  counter,  telegraph  office,  and  express  office,  and  was 
considered  the  largest  and  best  equipped  depot  between  Chicago  and 
Omaha. 

The  greater  portion  of  this  building  was  torn  down  a  dozen  years 
ago,  and  the  north  end  was  rebuilt  and  refurnished  into  the  present 
station. 

Among  the  highlights  of  the  early  years  of  Mendota  railroading 
are  the  following: 

May  16,  1863:  Railroad  accident  involving  a  mail  train  and  an 
emigrant  train,  not  far  from  the  city,  on  the  C.B.&Q.  Six  emigrants 
were  killed;  many  were  injured  and  brought  to  the  Passenger  House 
for  treatment. 

March  2,  1871 :  A  royal  party  of  Japanese  emmisaries,  headed  by 
an  uncle  of  the  reigning  Emperor,  Prince  Mits  Fusimi,  stopped  at 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


15 


Mendota  en  route  from  California  to  Washington,  D.  C.  They  dined 
at  the  depot,  and  attracted  "considerable  attention." 

December  23,  1876:  Seven  carloads  of  silk  worm  eggs  packed  in 
muscilage  and  valued  at  $300,000,  passed  through  Mendota  en  route 
to  France  from  Japan. 

September  7,  1865:  Thirteen  passenger  cars  bound  for  the  State 
Fair,  then  at  Chicago,  stopped  here  briefly. 

September  15,  1870:  Sportsmen  organized  a  Grand  Excursion  Buf- 
falo hunt  near  Fort  Hays,  Kansas.  The  round  trip  (1,400  miles)  fare 
was  $38.50. 

October,  1870:  The  Burlington  line  purchased  the  right  of  way 
of  the  Western  division  of  the  Illinois  Grand  Trunk  railway  from 
Mendota  to  the  Mississippi  River. 

November  3,  1870:  150  men  were  at  work  on  the  Mendota  and 
Prophetstown  Railroad.  Pay?  $1.75  per  day  for  laborers  and  $4  per 
day  for  teams. 

August  19,  1869:  A  new  and  elegant  passenger  engine,  No.  144, 
made  its  first  trip  on  the  C.B.&Q.  It  featured  the  latest  improved 
Rogers  Manufacturers  Drive  wheels,  6^  feet  in  diameter. 

August  24,  1871 :  The  Joliet,  Newark  and  Mendota  Railroad  was 
chartered  and  partly  graded. 

June  8,  1871:  The  newspapers  carried  the  announcement  that 
$5,000  had  been  subscribed  for  stock  in  the  Mendota  and  Rockford 
Railroad,  with  150  men  and  50  teams  to  begin  work  on  the  Rockford 
end. 


OTHER  RAILWAY  VENTURES 

An  early  map  of  Mendota,  made  about  1875,  shows  a  Camanche, 
Albany  and  Mendota  railroad.  It  was  indicated  on  the  map  as  run- 
ning west  from  Mendota  along  the  township  line  and  joining  the 
Burlington  railroad  at  about  Fourth  street.  The  map  also  shows  a 
Joliet  and  Mendota  railroad  which  ran,  if  the  map  is  correct,  eastward 
from  town  down  the  middle  of  Fifth  street. 

It  is  thought  that  these  may  have  been  projected  railroads  and 
never  built  as  no  right  of  way  is  indicated  on  the  plat.  Some  prelim- 
inary grading  may  have  been  done. 

Pat  Simms,  of  the  Burlington  freight  office,  had  a  most  remark- 
able memory.  Lee  Scott,  a  fellow  employee,  relates  that  Simms  could, 
without  making  any  written  record,  remember  the  next  day  the  count 
of  livestock  going  into  a  car  together  with  number  of  the  car,  initial, 


16 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


and  number  and  kind  of  animals.    He  was  never  known  to  make 
mistake. 


The  severe  cold  of  January,  1862,  caused  everything  to  freeze 
and  several  trains  were  stalled  in  Mendota  with  about  150  people. 
Everyone  opened  up  their  homes  to  take  care  of  the  stranded  travelers. 
This  nearly  created  a  famine  in  town  as  the  supply  of  potatoes, 
vegetables,  and  canned  fruit  rapidly  disappeared.  Mrs.  Anna  Herrick, 
a  resident  here  at  the  time,  recalls  looking  across  a  vacant  lot  and 
seeing  seven  railroad  engines  stalled  in  front  of  her  house  on  the 
east  side  near  the  Catholic  church. 


EARLY  LOCOMOTIVES  WERE  SPEEDY 

At  the  time  of  the  Chicago  fire  (1871),  locomotives  had  attained 
a  speed  not  much  less  than  that  of  today.  The  126-mile  trip  from 
Bloomington  to  Chicago  could  be  accomplished  in  two  hours  and  ten 
minutes;  the  89-mile  journey  from  Bloomington  to  Joliet,  only  80 
minutes.  These  locomotives  were  the  Atlantic  type  with  two  sets  of 
drivers  which  produced  less  dynamic  augment  than  their  later  heavier 
brothers  with  multiple  drive  wheels. 

The  third  major  railroad  line  to  enter  and  stay  in  Mendota  was 
the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul.  In  1903,  desiring  a  road  to 
tap  the  coal  fields  of  LaSalle  and  Bureau  counties,  the  line  chartered 
the  Rochelle  and  Southern  division.  This  branch  left  the  main  line 
at  Davis  Junction,  turned  south  through  Rochelle  coming  into  Mendota 
from  the  north  and  sharing  I.C.  trackage  through  the  main  part  of 
town.  This  line  was  also  built  with  the  use  of  horses  and  mules  as 
the  main  source  of  power.  Elevating  graders,  pulled  and  pushed  by 
about  20  horses  and  mules,  sliced  out  the  cuts  and  made  the  fills. 

Joe  Zolper,  who  at  present  is  in  charge  of  the  construction  of  the 
Mendota  Community  Hospital  wing,  helped  build  the  Rochelle  &  South- 
ern through  Mendota. 


PASSENGER  PEAK  ABOUT  1908 

Shortly  after  the  CM&StP  was  routed  through  the  city,  passenger 
traffic  reached  its  peak.  In  1908,  the  three  lines  combined  carried  39 
trains  daily  through  Mendota. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP  17 


Today,  with  passenger  travel  available  through  the  city  on  the 
Burlington,  this  total  has  dropped  to  approximately  a  fourth  of  the 

peak  figure. 

*  *         * 

Named  for  Timothy  B.  Blackstone  are  Blackstone  avenue  in 
Chicago,  the  Blackstone  hotel,  and  the  Blackstone  Memorial  library 
in  Chicago,  which  added  to  Blackstone  designations  in  Mendota,  per- 
petuate his  memory. 

*  *         * 

Mendota  still  serves  the  Illinois  Central,  however,  being  located 
on  the  Springfield  division  of  the  I.C.,  with  headquarters  in  Clinton. 
The  line  is  an  important  freight  artery  in  the  6,500  mile  14-state  Illi- 
nois Central  system.  Feed,  lumber,  gasoline,  ties,  coal,  et  al,  travel 
from,  to  and  through  Mendota  on  the  I.C.,  the  main  motive  power  on 
this  division  being  supplied  by  2100-class  Mikado  type  locomotives. 

The  Illinois  Central  freight  station,  although  remodeled  in  recent 
years,  still  serves  as  a  bridge  to  the  past.  It  served  as  the  railroad's 
original  station,  and  was  the  first  brick  building  erected  in  Mendota. 
During  the  civil  war,  troops  were  loaded  and  unloaded  from  its  plat- 
forms. 

If  it  could  talk  .  .  . 


18         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


full  Steam  ahead: 
the  first  50  years 


A 


T  the  end  of  Mendota's  first  half  century,  the  city  still  had  no 
paved  streets,  and  on  rainy  days  its  citizens  wallowed  in  the  mud  just 
as  they  had  50  years  earlier. 

Nor  had  any  of  the  big  industries,  which  were  to  insure  Mendota's 
future,  yet  made  their  appearance.  In  many  respects,  the  city  was 
standing  still,  waiting  for  something  to  happen. 

In  other  ways,  however,  the  Mendota  of  today  was  well  on  its 
way  to  fruition  in  1903.  The  population  had  reached  a  mark  only 
1,200  less  than  that  of  today,  the  shape  and  mood  of  the  town  was 
established.  It  had  shaken  off  most  of  its  rowdy  frontier  town  aspects ; 
it  was  ready  for  the  planning  and  organization  which  the  20th  century 
would  bring. 

When  T.  B.  Blackstone  and  John  W.  West  had  come  in  the  spring 
of  1853  to  make  a  survey  for  the  Burlington  railroad,  Mendota  had 
been  nothing  but  mud,  creeks,  swamps,  prairie  grass  and  cattails.  A 
fine  site  for  a  town! 

The  fact,  however,  that  this  was  to  be  the  point  where  the  tracks 
of  the  Illinois  Central  were  to  cross  those  of  the  Burlington,  minimized 
the  obstacles,  and  a  Boston  speculator  purchased  land  in  the  vicinity  of 
what  is  now  Blackstone  Park,  expecting  that  part  of  the  county  to  be 
a  town. 

He  was  so  intrigued  with  the  idea,  in  fact,  that  he  planned  a  town 
patterned   after  the  villages   of  New   England.     For  some   unknown 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  19 


reason,  however,  perhaps  a  sudden  change  in  the  market  value,  he 
suddenly  became  apprehensive,  sold  his  holdings  and,  like  the  Arab, 
"folded  his  tent  and  silently  stole  away." 

Blackstone,  on  the  other  hand,  was  to  exert  a  more  solid  influence 
on  the  future  of  Mendota.  His  plat,  which  was  known  as  The  Original 
Town,  was  filed  June  25,  1853,  in  the  recorder's  office  at  Ottawa.  A 
second  plat  called  "West's  Addition"  was  filed  six  weeks  later. 

Blackstone  invested  in  five  quarter  sections;  West  and  the  Illinois 
Central  each  owned  a  quarter  section. 

The  layout  for  the  town  was  not  particularly  what  could  be  called 
a  masterpiece;  in  fact,  anyone  familiar  with  that  portion  of  the  pres- 
ent Mendota  can  testify  that  it  is  cockeyed;  the  streets  jog  in  places  and 
at  the  end  is  a  piece  of  land  not  unlike  a  wedge  of  pie. 

How  this  happened  is  a  matter  of  conjecture.  One  story,  re- 
counted elsewhere,  has  it  that  the  surveyors  were  roaring  drunk,  having 
partaken  too  strongly  of  a  malaria-preventive  known  as  whiskey.  An- 
other is  that  the  muck  and  mud  was  so  unpalatable  that  the  surveyors, 
in  their  hurry  to  leave  the  area,  forgot  to  make  allowance  for  the 
curvature  of  the  earth. 


WHAT'S  IN  A  NAME? 

The  new  village  was  first  called  the  Junction,  a  not  too  stimulating 
appellation  which  soon  gave  way  to  the  more  euphonious  Indian  ver- 
sion of  the  same  —  Mendota,  at  the  suggestion  of  0.  N.  Adams,  owner 
of  the  Mendota  Furnace  at  Galena. 

An  early  description  of  the  new  community,  obviously  written  by 
a  native,  reads:  Mendota  is  located  upon  a  broad  level  prairie  with 
scarcely  a  forest  tree  in  sight,  without  a  flowing  river  or  picturesque 
landscape  scenery.  The  town  is  spreading  itself  wonderfully  for  a 
town  started  upon  a  naked  prairie  away  from  timber  without  stone  or 
other  building  materials  handy,  having  no  coal,  water  power,  navigable 
streams  or  natural  resources  except  good  land  and  plenty  of  it,  but 
Mendota  has  the  dash  of  a  new  and  growing  town  as  well  as  a  little 
of  the  aristocracy  of  an  older  place.  She  has  the  smartest  men  in  the 
County  and  the  handsomest  women  in  the  State. 

The  first  man  to  choose  Mendota  as  a  place  to  live  and  open  a 
business  was  D.  D.  Guiles,  a  merchant  from  Homer  (now  known  as 
Troy  Grove).  Guiles  and  others  had  been  carefully  watching  the 
course  of  the  railroad  survey  to  see  where  the  rail  crossing  would  be 
made.    John  Joseph  West  (a  son  of  John  W.)  furnished  the  means  and 


20  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Guiles  built  the  first  structure  in  the  town  plat,  located  on  Main  Street 
in  West's  Addition,  at  the  present  site  of  the  Kanteen. 

A  Peru  carpenter,  Gerhardt  Yohn,  a  great-grandfather  of  the 
Ellingen  family,  was  employed  for  the  construction  job.  He  "com- 
muted" on  foot,  carrying  his  tools  on  his  back.  When  the  building 
was  completed,  George  Wells  joined  Guiles  in  stocking  the  store  and 
the  business  was  opened. 

Yohn  was  also  employed  to  build  the  second  house  of  business  — 
a  tavern,  which  was  erected  for  Frank  Meisenbach,  the  next  man  to 
make  Mendota  his  permanent  home.  The  tavern  was  utilized  for  the 
boarding  of  surveyors  and  workers  on  the  railroad  construction. 

Meisenbach  earned  another  distinction.  He  was  the  father  of 
Ellen  Meisenbach,   first  white  child  born  in  Mendota. 

The  first  house,  also  constructed  in  1853,  was  built  on  the  east 
side  of  the  tracks  by  Theo.  Schiek. 

Mendota's  growth  was  rapid.  The  Reverend  Nathan  Denison,  who 
came  to  Mendota  from  Skaneateles,  N.Y.,  wrote  to  friends  there  in 
October,  1854:  /  can  give  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  growth  of  this 
village  since  I  left  (Skaneateles)  in  July.  There  are  more  than  double 
the  buildings  than  when  I  (came)  and  more  are  erecting  every  day. 
We  like  it  so  far  exceedingly  well.    All  are  welcomed  ivith  open  hearts. 

Land  speculation  followed  on  the  heels  of  the  inclusion  in  Mendota 
of  Rust's  Addition  in  1854  and  the  Illinois  Central  Addition  in  1855. 
Was  the  main  shopping  center  of  this  "Colossus  of  the  Future"  to  be 
on  Washington  or  Sixth  Street? 


THE   EARLY  BIRD 

The  key  to  the  outcome  apparently  lay  in  the  creek  which  me- 
andered aimlessly  through  the  city,  severing  both  Washington  and 
Sixth.  It  became  increasingly  obvious  that  Mendota's  principal 
thoroughfare  was  to  be  the  first  street  bridged. 

Betting  odds  would  have  favored  Sixth  Street.  Most  of  the  lots 
hereon   were    owned    by   a    hard-working,    hard-sleeping    Englishman, 

,  who  was,  of  course,  eager  to  have  the  community 

center  in  his  territory,   thus   increasing  the   value   of   his   investment. 

Less  industrious,  perhaps,  but  with  a  shrewder  sense  of  timing 
were  the  owners  of  the  Washington  street  lots.  They  smoked  their 
pipes  and  watched  cheerfully  while  their  English  friend  collected  the 
timber  for  his  bridge. 

The  night  before  construction  was  to  begin  and  with  success  clear- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


21 


ly  in  sight,  he  retired  late  and  overslept.    When  he  awoke  his  timber 
was  gone  and  there  was  a  splendid  new  bridge  across  Washington 

Street. 

*  #         * 

1854  was  the  year  of  the  great  cholera  plague,  and  Mendota 
shared  in  its  misery.  The  first  victim  was  a  stranger  in  town;  no 
plans  had  yet  been  made  for  a  burial  plot  so  he  was  interred  west  of 
the  city  on  what  is  now  the  site  of  the  Blackstone  School. 

Mendota's  first  market  was  opened  in  the  autumn  of  1853  by 
Langdon  and  Douglass.  The  following  year  witnessed  the  opening  of 
Dietrich  Volk's  brewery,  the  first  drug  store  and  a  second  meat  market. 

Also  constructed  in  1854  was  the  city's  first  flouring  mill,  a  stone 
structure  operated  by  steam.  This  was  a  milestone  —  for  milling  was 
of  primary  importance  to  farm  communities. 

*  *         # 

Fire  was  to  prove  the  nemesis  of  Mendota  milling.  The  original 
mill  burned  in  1865,  was  rebuilt  and  burned  again  in  1870.  A  second 
mill,  built  later  by  Eckert  and  Dewey,  was  also  destroyed  by  fire,  re- 
built and  again  burned  to  the  ground. 

The  Gregg  Mill,  a  very  modern  plant,  was  then  opened  and 
utilized  until  1900  when  it  was  dismantled  and  the  machinery  shipped 
to  Missouri.  A  woolen  mill  built  in  1866  lasted  but  three  years;  a 
linseed  oil  mill  constructed  by  George  Wells  lasted  only  one  season.  A 
second  linseed  oil  mill,  constructed  by  Clark  in  1870,  was  more  suc- 
cessful but  again  fire  proved  fatal. 

One  of  the  most  enterprising  of  the  early  merchants  was  S.  0. 
Hemenway,  Esq.,  who  offered  everything  needed  for  a  new  home.  His 
newspaper  advertisements  listed  farms,  lots,  lumber,  brick,  lime,  fuel, 
salt,  and  fruit  trees. 

The  Mendota  Bank  of  1856  was  a  short-lived  enterprise,  but  in 
1860,  with  the  population  increased  to  1,934,  Kelsey  and  Price  opened 
a  bank  which  was  to  survive  11  years,  and  carry  the  community  into 
a  sounder  banking  era.  Colonel  E.  A.  Bowen  organized  the  First 
National  Bank,  an  institution  which  was  to  last  68  years,  in  1865. 


THE   BITTER  YEARS 

si 

The  impress  of  the  Civil  War  was  felt  in  varying  degrees,  as  was 
the  case  in  most  of  the  small  towns  in  the  loyal  states.  Abe  Lincoln's 
Illinois  origin  undoubtedly  carried  considerable  weight,  so  also  did  the 
presence  of  underground  railway  stations  in  neighboring  communities. 

22  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Mendota  was  not,  however,  without  those  expressing  Copperhead  senti- 
ments, and  many  of  those  supporting  the  Union  cause  offered  lip  service 
only. 

The  latter  feeling  was  perhaps  the  origin  for  the  custom  through 
which  a  man  who  did  not  wish  to  respond  to  the  call  of  the  colors  could 
huy,  for  approximately  $100,  a  substitute  to  do  his  fighting.  Such  an 
arrangement  was  common,  and  was  not  considered  the  least  bit  dis- 
honorable or  unpatriotic. 

One  young  Mendota  farmer,  not  wishing  to  leave  his  newly  ac- 
quired land,  worked  untiringly  to  raise  the  amount  necessary  to  pay 
his  replacement.  Finally,  in  1865,  he  had  raised  sufficient  funds,  came 
into  town  and  sought  out  the  man  he  had  hired.  The  money  changed 
hands,  the  would-be  soldier  departed  and  the  young  farmer  returned 
to  his  land.  The  next  day,  news  traveling  slowly,  Mendota  learned 
that  the  war  had  been  over  three  days;  but  the  farmer  saw  neither  the 
hired  soldier  nor  his  money  again. 

The  news  of  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  was  greeted  jubilantly  by  the 
young  city.  The  city  fathers  felt  a  celebration  was  in  order;  a  large 
parade  was  organized  and  the  thumb  cannon  hauled  from  its  resting 
place  and  put  on  the  Illinois  Central  platform  at  the  head  of  Washing- 
ton street. 

Now  the  parade  was  over,  the  band  had  played,  the  children  had 
waved  the  red,  white  and  blue.  It  was  time  for  the  climax,  the  shooting 
of  the  thumb  cannon.  All  was  in  readiness;  the  streets  had  been 
cleared  of  people  so  no  one  would  be  injured,  the  dignitaries  were 
lined  up  on  the  platform.  However,  the  committee  had  forgotten  one 
item:    they  had  neglected  to  secure  a  cannoneer. 

What  to  do!  The  chairman  climbed  to  the  podium  and  asked  if 
there  was  anyone  in  the  audience  who  could  operate  a  thumb  cannon. 
A  transient,  in  town  for  the  celebration,  answered  the  appeal:  he 
could  shoot  the  cannon  and  agreed  to  do  so. 

The  audience  was  relieved;  the  shooting  of  the  thumb  was  a  must. 
The  stranger  took  his  place  beside  the  weapon  and  placed  his  thumb 
in  what  he  assumed  to  be  the  correct  spot. 

"Bang"  went  the  shot.  But  the  transient  had  miscalculated,  his 
hand  was  shot  off  and  landed  where  the  Candy  Kitchen  now  stands. 

*         *         * 

Samuel  Edwards,  a  resident  of  the  60's,  was  one  of  the  town's 
public-spirited  citizens.  He  owned  a  farm  and  nursery  (now  the  Full- 
wood,  the  Dr.  E.  C.  Cook  home)  just  west  of  town  and  specialized  in 
the  raising  of  evergreens. 

In  1863,  Edwards  offered  the  city  $100  worth  of  trees  and  ever- 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP  23 


greens  for  a  park,  and  several  hundred  silver  poplar  trees  for  plant- 
ing along  the  streets,  provided  the  trees  were  taken  immediately. 
The  silver  poplars  were  gladly  accepted,  but  the  park  trees  were  re- 
fused.   Mendota  was  not  yet  park-minded. 

In  the  early  60's,  land  in  the  Mendota  vicinity  was  selling  for  $40 
an  acre.  In  1863,  Mendota  counted  eight  new  businesses  in  60  days. 
There  was  not  a  single  vacant  room,  nor  a  vacant  house  in  the  town. 
The  town  was  prosperous,  aggressive. 


"NO  SIGNS  MIT  DER  STREET  NAMES" 

It  was  time,  too,  for  civic  improvements.  The  streets  were  veri- 
table mud  holes;  it  was  said  that  a  frog  resided  in  one  of  them  near 
Andress  and  Scott's  Implement  store  on  Illinois  Avenue. 

Complaints  were  heard  concerning  the  chimneys  of  business  houses 
along  Main  Street;  they  were  considered  dangerous  fire  hazards.  The 
deplorable  condition  of  the  sidewalks  at  the  outskirts  of  town  likewise 
came  in  for  criticism. 

The  lack  of  street  crossings  downtown  brought  further  complaint, 
but  Esq.  McClure  busied  himself  in  the  laudable  work  of  putting  down 
crossings  on  the  principal  streets  —  Washington,  Main,  Monroe,  Sixth, 
and  Sixth  Avenue. 

In  April  1866,  foundations  for  63  new  buildings  were  ready  and 
by  autumn  of  that  year  125  new  houses  had  gone  up.  1867  was  an- 
other big  construction  year,  with  many  of  the  buildings  being  made  of 
brick. 

The  foundation  for  a  double  brick  building  going  through  from 
Washington  to  Sixth  was  being  laid;  the  structure  was  two  stories  high 
and  to  have  two  fronts.  West  erected  a  new  store  building  and  rented 
it  to  Edwards  &  Sons  for  a  stove  and  hardware  store,  an  enterprise 
which  has  carried  down  to  the  Centennial  year.  A  Mr.  Starkweather 
opened  the  "Gem",  a  Washington  street  Restaurant. 

Miss  Kreitzer,  owner  of  a  millinery  shop,  was  infuriated  when  a 
newcomer  to  Mendota  had  the  effrontery  to  remark:  "Mendota  ish  a 
tead  von  horse  town  no  signs  mit  der  street  names,  no  numbers  mit  der 
store  over.  No  notings."  She  complained  to  the  city  with  the  result 
that  one  set  of  street  signs  was  erected  —  at  the  corner  of  Illinois  and 
Jefferson  where  her  shop  was  located. 

With  the  completion  of  two  new  brick  stores  on  Main  Street  in 
1868,  a  continuous  block  ran  from  Washington  to  Jefferson.  But  there 
were  still  sidewalk  problems,  and  a  new  walk  was  laid  on  the  north 


24 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


side  of  Washington  from  Illinois  to  Main. 

Augustine's  Addition,  populated  principally  by  German  Lutherans, 
was  annexed  by  the  city.  The  Addition  boasted  a  Lutheran  Church  and 
school,  and  a  lovely  park  on  the  East  side  on  what  is  now  called  Lincoln 
avenue.  The  park  contained  trees,  flowering  shrubs,  beds  of  flowers 
and  cinder  paths  for  strolling. 

Augustine  began  construction  on  a  building  in  one  end  of  the 
park;  what  it  was  to  have  been  on  completion  no  one  knew.  A  base- 
ment was  dug  and  the  stones  laid,  then  work  ceased  and  the  place  al- 
lowed to  return  to  nature.  It  gradually  became  a  favorite  recreation 
spot  for  children,  and  the  site  of  many  games  of  "duck  on  the  rocks", 
which  was  played  by  placing  a  small  stone  on  a  big  stone,  and  hurling 
a  third  stone  in  an  attempt  to  displace  the  small  one. 

13th  Avenue  was  opened  one  mile  northward  that  summer;  a 
gentleman  of  African  descent  opened  a  tonsorial  parlor  on  Washington 
street  and  a  genuine  Indian  squaw  was  seen  on  the  same  street  selling 
trinkets. 

While  Mendota  had  never  been  a  camping  ground  for  Indians, 
there  is  reason  to  believe  that  Indian  trails  had  crossed  here  prior  to 
the  coming  of  "civilization."  Even  after  the  settlement,  Indians  oc- 
casionally wandered  in  and  out  of  town,  traveling  gypsy  fashion.  Ellen 
Meisenbach  recalled  how,  as  a  small  girl,  she  had  hidden  behind  her 
mother's  full  skirts  as  Indians  came  to  their  house  to  beg  for  food. 

The  police  believed  that  cleanliness  was  next  to  godliness.  One 
vagrant  wandered  into  town,  dirty  and  ragged,  too  lazy  to  wash  him- 
self, and  suddenly  found  himself  hauled  to  the  city  pump  and  washed 
at  city  expense. 

A  notice  of  considerable  interest  appeared  in  the  paper:  "At  the 
Mendota  House  on  Thurs.  June  18  for  one  day  only  will  be  boys  and 
girls  from  the  New  York  Juvenile  Asylum,  ages  7  to  15  years.  These 
children  are  to  be  placed  in  homes,  until  the  girls  are  18  and  the  boys 
21.    Under  indenture" 


1869  was  the  year  of  heavy  and  damaging  rains.  The  water  stood 
four  feet  deep  near  the  creek  on  Washington  Street  and  many  cellars 
were  flooded.  December  of  that  year  was  unusually  rainy  with  down- 
pours lasting  a  week.    All  that  rain  fall  jeopardized  corn  picking. 

The  Panton  Farm  adjoining  Blackstone  School  was  a  model  Dairy 
Farm  with  a  herd  of  36  cows.  During  the  summer  two  ton  of  cheese 
was  made,  bringing  in  an  income  amounting  to  $600.00. 

The  corner  of  Main  and  Washington  was  a  hangout  for  the  town 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  25 


loafers  and  a  topic  often  discussed  was  "why  don't  the  citizens  of 
Mendota  attempt  to  secure  the  Northern  Illinois  Insane  Asylum  for 
our  city." 

The  women  discussed  the  new  parlor  footstool.  It  was  richly 
ornamented  on  top  and  concealed  a  spittoon.  When  not  needed  the 
article  was  covered,  but  the  touch  of  a  spring  would  disclose  it  in  an 
instant.  This  footstool  afforded  a  sightly  compromise  with  a  dis- 
agreeable necessity. 

The  ladies  were  trying  to  prohibit  the  use  of  firecrackers.  They 
argued  that  horses  were  frightened  and  travelers  on  foot  were  always 
annoyed  by  careless  and  ill  bred  boys  who  delighted  in  thrusting 
crackers  at  passers-by.    The  ladies  didn't  gain  their  point. 

In  1869  Mendota  had  a  "cattle  plague".  Cows  had  the  use  of  all 
the  streets  and  alleys  in  town,  and  were  allowed  to  roam  at  will.  Some 
citizens  tried  to  have  the  condition  remedied,  but  it  took  several  years 
to  win  the  battle  of  the  roaming  droves  of  cows. 

#         *         * 

And  Mendota  continued  to  grow.  The  Earlville  Gazette  reported 
"Mendota  is  the  fastest  growing  town  in  the  county  and  contains  5,000 
inhabitants."  The  population  figure  was  probably  a  little  padded;  the 
1870  census  taker  found  only  3,546  residents. 

The  destructive  fires  of  that  year  were  probably  the  work  of  a 
firebug.  Prior  to  the  $40,000  conflagration  in  June,  an  unsuccessful 
attempt  had  been  made  to  burn  the  three-story  brick  building  known 
as  Rust's  Block,  and  two  weeks  later  another  attempt  was  discovered. 
If  a  pyromaniac  was  to  blame,  however,  he  was  never  apprehended. 

As  a  topic  for  gossip,  the  "Battle  of  the  Amazons"  on  a  Sunday 
night  in  late  September,  replaced  the  curiosity  over  the  fires.  The 
protagonists  were  the  respective  servants  of  two  of  Mendota's  ex- 
aldermen  who  lived  side  by  side.  The  first  girl  sent  her  opponent 
to  the  grass  and  demolished  her  chignon  with  one  lusty  blow;  before 
the  dust  cleared  at  least  two  dozen  girls  were  involved  in  the  set-to. 
The  noise  and  confusion  was  reported  to  have  "made  the  night  hideous" 
to  residents  of  the  area. 

Robberies  were  frequent.  A  dandy,  descending  from  a  train,  was 
seized  by  two  thugs  and  deprived  of  a  diamond  pin  valued  at  $450. 
And  a  notice  in  the  newspaper  read,  The  party  who  visited  my  hen 
roost  on  the  night  of  the  22nd  inst.  will  save  exposure  and  prosecution 
by  depositing  $3  in  the  Mendota  postoffice. 

*       *       * 

The  following  year  brought  Mendota's  first  telegraph  to  Chicago. 
It  was  known  as  the  Great  Western  Telegraph  Co.,  with  an  office  located 

26  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


in  the  same  building  as  Jacob  Miller's  Tobacco  Store,  site  of  the  present 
Pantry  Grocery. 

And  the  City  Fathers  now  decided  to  buy  the  property  on  the 
east  side  of  town  known  as  the  Public  Square,  to  be  used  as  a  park. 
A  little  schoolhouse,  possibly  the  "south  School"  mentioned  by  some 
historians,  stood  on  the  property  and  was  moved.  In  1872  a  park 
committee  was  appointed,  and  Elms,  Box  Elders,  White  Ash  and  Soft 
Maple  were  planted.  Later  Rock  Maple,  Honey  Locust,  Black  Walnut 
and  Norway  Pine,  all  from  a  nearby  grove,  were  added. 


The  City  Directory  of  1876  listed  carpet  weavers,  carriage  and 
wagon  makers,  blacksmiths,  coopers,  dress  and  cloak  makers.  One 
dressmaker  carried  a  large  advertisement,  reading: 


ONE  MOMENT  LADIES 

We  have  just  established  a  new  shop  for  the  purpose 

of  doing  all  kinds  of  dressmaking,  plain  sewing,  etc. 

We  warrent  all  our  work  to  give  perfect  satisfaction. 

Goods  made  up  in  the  latest  style  at  very  low  prices. 

Please  call  and  see  us. 

Miss  Snodgrass 
Mrs.  Smith 


Mrs.  Lawrie,  a  rival  dressmaker,  not  to  be  outdone,  had  this  to 


say; 


I     HAVE    MORE    HELP    WORKING    FOR     ME    THAN     HAS    EVER    BEEN 
EMPLOYED     BY    ANY     ONE     IN     MY     LINE    IN     THIS    CITY     BEFORE. 

If  you  wish  any  work  done.  I  WOULD  suggest  that  you 

GIVE   ME   A   CALL. 

Also  listed  were  13  grocers,  seven  hardware  stores,  five  tailors, 
ten  milliners,  harness  shops,  livery  stables,  and  16  saloons.  Frank 
Dodt  was  a  gunsmith  and  Anna  Mulligan  sold  and  bought  human  hair. 

Three  jewelry  stores  offered  not  only  silverware  and  wedding 
rings,  but  also  sold  spectacles.  If  your  loved  one  had  beautiful  hair, 
you  could  submit  some  of  the  lovely  strands  and  the  jeweler  would 
have  it  woven  into  a  watch  chain;  a  woman  desirous  of  preserving  a 
few  strands  might  have  them  patterned  into  ear  rings  or  brooches. 

Mrs.  Barbara  Margus  operated  a  small  grocery  and  candy  store 
on  Main  Street  between  Burlington  and  Chicago,  her  fine  selection  of 
lemon  drops,  stick  candy  and  licorice  making  it  a  haven  for  the  younger 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         27 


set.  The  children  called  her  "Mother  Margus",  and  she  had  a  warm 
spot  for  her  youthful  customers.  In  the  winter  she  would  trade  frozen 
quail  for  candy. 

George  Burkart,  a  peddler  with  a  spring  wagon,  traveled  about 
the  country  selling  yard  goods,  pins,  needles,  laces  and  ribbons. 
Other  wagons  went  up  and  down  the  muddy  streets  selling  groceries, 
tea  and  coffee. 

No  household  in  these  times  could  be  without  starch,  the  stiff 
bosoms  of  men's  dress  shirts  and  the  many  tiered  petticoats  for  the 
women  and  girls  making  it  one  of  the  staples. 

This  was  also  a  Centennial  year  —  that  of  the  United  States  — 
and  Mendota  marked  the  anniversary  with  the  planting  of  trees.  Sam- 
uel Edwards  again  made  an  offer  of  free  trees  to  anyone  who  wished 
to  plant  during  the  Centennial  year.  The  Mendota  cemetery  association 
marked  the  event  by  planting  a  belt  of  Norway  Spruce  around  its 
grounds.  All  citizens  were  urged  to  plant;  it  was  said  that  nothing 
would  tend  to  beautify  a  prairie  town  more  than  a  liberal  planting  of 
trees. 


Prices  were  rising.  John  Harris  paid  $50  an  acre  for  land;  po- 
tatoes brought  50  cents  a  bushel.  The  popular  song  was  "Gathering 
Shells  from  the  Sea  Shore." 

The  flying  saucers  of  today  had  their  antecedent  that  year  when 
a  large  balloon  descended  from  the  skies,  lighting  in  a  field  near  the 
Mclntire  farm,  not  far  from  the  city  limits.  The  balloon  was  partly 
inflated  but  had  no  basket  nor  car  attached. 

For  a  week  it  was  the  center  of  attention.  What  was  the  fate  of 
the  air  voyager  who  ascended  with  it?  Could  it  have  carried  men  from 
Mars,  and,  if  so,  where  were  they?  All  the  more  glamorous  possibilities 
were  shattered,  however,  when  a  Rockford  man  appeared  to  claim  the 
runaway  balloon.  He  explained  that  he  had  been  preparing  to  sail 
when  the  balloon  broke  away  from  its  fastenings  and  wandered  away 
to  Mendota  with  no  passengers  at  all. 


Not  until  1930  would  Mendota  again  claim  a  population  equal 
to  the  census  reading  of  1880:  4,142.  It  was  no  longer  a  town  but  a 
city. 

Fashionable  housewives  now  hired  help  to  work  in  the  kitchen 
or  to  help  with  the  care  of  children.  Farmers'  daughters  came  to  town 
to  work  as  hired  girls  for  a  dollar  a  week,  room  and  board. 


28  MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Days  were  long;  breakfast  was  served  before  7  a.m.,  when  the 
stores  opened,  operating  until  9  p.m.  Dinner  (rather  than  lunch)  was 
on  the  table  at  noon,  supper  at  6  p.m.  Mornings  were  busy  in  any 
household;  the  lamps  had  to  be  washed  and  filled,  the  stoves  cleaned 
and  the  nickel  polished.  Straw  ticks  and  feather  beds  were  turned  and 
fluffed.  The  hired  help  were  given  the  chore  of  cleaning  the  outhouses, 
indoor  plumbing  being  a  thing  of  the  future. 


Christmas  was  important,  then  as  now,  and  the  tree  played  the 
most  important  role  in  house  decoration.  They  were  costly;  this  was 
not  pine  country  and  the  trees  had  to  be  imported. 

The  trees  were  illuminated  with  candles  stuck  in  small  candle 
holders  especially  made  for  the  purpose,  and  were  placed  on  tables 
where  they  would  be  away  from  small  hands.  Gilded  walnuts,  popcorn 
roping  and  cookies  cut  in  animal  shapes  furnished  further  decoration. 
Fire  was,  of  course,  a  constant  hazard,  and  a  bucket  of  water  and  a  pail 
of  sand  was  placed  within  easy  range  of  the  tree. 

The  favorite  gift  for  girls  was  the  china  doll.  The  dolls  were 
usually  named  by  the  manufacturer,  Ethel  and  Bertha  being  among  the 
names  found  on  some  of  these  old  doll  heads. 

An  Earlville  cabinet  maker  did  a  thriving  business  carving  out 
doll  furniture  for  Christmas  gifts.  Several  examples  of  cradles  made 
with  spindles  can  still  be  found  here  in  Mendota. 

Saint  Nick  usually  left  sleds  for  the  boys,  and  all  the  children  re- 
ceived hard  candy  and,  the  finest  treat  of  all,  oranges.  The  latter  were 
scarce  and  expensive  at  this  time  of  year. 


AND  LISTS  OF  THE  WEDDING  GIFTS 

The  increase  in  population  brought  with  it  the  development  of  a 
social  structure.  Big  weddings  afforded  an  opportunity  for  display, 
and  were  lavishly  recorded  in  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  in  which  the  follow- 
ing report  was  typical: 

The  event  in  social  circles  that  has  been  looked  forward  to  with 
unusual  interest  for  several  weeks  past,  culminated  last  Wednesday 
evening  in  the  wedding  of  Mr.  Myron  L.  Bowen  and  Miss  Kate  Plum- 
mer,  one  of  our  leading  society  belles,  which  was  celebrated  at  the 
residence  of  Col.  E.  A.  Bowen,  President  of  the  First  National  Bank  in 
this  city.  There  was  a  large  company  in  attendance  to  witness  the 
ceremony,  and  the  elegant  residence  was  brilliantly  illuminated  and, 
ornamented  with  rare  flowers  for  the  occasion.     The  ceremony  that 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         29 


made  the  twain  one  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  Mr.  Haight  of  Chicago, 
after  which  the  happy  couple  received  the  hearty  congratulations  of 
their  numerous  friends. 

The  supper  was  notable  for  the  rare  excellence  and  variety  of  the 
viands,  and  the  handsome  manner  in  which  it  was  served. 

While  there  were  very  many  elegant  toilets  which  did  credit  to  the 
tastes  of  the  ladies  present,  we  have  space  only  to  mention  a  few. 
The  bride  was  dressed  in  an  elegant  blue  satin  de  Lyons.  Bride's 
mother,  black  satin  and  Spanish  lace.  Mrs.  C.  H.  Pixley,  gold  colored 
satin.  Mrs.  Dr.  Corbus,  elegant  violet  velvet,  mauve  satin.  Miss  Lizzie 
Scott  robin's  egg  blue  silk  brocade.  Miss  Anna  Tewksbury,  blue  nun's 
veiling,  with  ombre  sash.  Miss  Carrie  Marks,  heliotrope  nun's  veiling, 
with  white  Spanish  lace.    Miss  Belle  Marks  pink  satin  and  cashmere. 

The  presents  were  numerous  and  valuable,  a  partial  list  of  which 
we  apend, 

Statue  Roger's  Balcony  F.  P.  Snyder,  Will  Irvin,  John  Schuetz, 
Charles  Madden. 

Handsome  head  rest  Mrs.  C.  H.  Piley,  Freeport. 

Pair  Solid  Silver  Jelly  Spoons  Mrs.  F.  Y.  Noyes  Boston. 

Silver  card  stand  E.  D.  Fischer  Princeton. 

Handsome  paper  weight  Mrs.  Fennel. 

Ivory  and  white  satin  hand  painted  fan.    Miss  Lizzie  Scott. 

Velvet  and  Plate  Glass  Perfumery  Casket  D.  Jack  Foster  Princeton. 

$5.00  in  Gold  Coin  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  K.  Olds. 

Handsome  gift  in  Gold  Coin  Col.  and  Mrs.  E.  A  Bowen. 


A  trial  electric  plant  was  established  in  1883.  The  Edison  Com- 
pany sent  out  an  expert  to  give  an  exhibition  at  the  stores  of  Max 
Haass,  the  druggist,  and  Curtiss  and  Rude,  hardware  men. 

1883  also  brought  the  first  telephones  to  Mendota.  The  Central 
Telephone  Company  was  authorized  by  the  city  council  in  that  year 
to  place  poles  and  wires  in  the  streets  and  alleys  of  the  city  for  the 
purpose  of  establishing  a  telephone  system. 

A  lot  on  downtown  Washington  street  adjoining  the  Warner 
House  now  sold  for  $400.  Illinois  Avenue  had  three  new  brick  build- 
ings and  it  was  said  that  it  would  be  but  a  short  time  before  that  street 
would  become  one  of  the  city's  main  thoroughfares. 

The  following  editorial  appeared  in  one  of  the  Mendota  papers: 

A  poor  bachelor  who  has  been  living  with  his  brother  in  a  miser- 
able shanty  near  Perkins  Grove,  was  brought  into  town  last  Wednes- 
day suffering  with  typhoid  fever.     As  no  one  could  be  found  to  take 


30  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


care  of  him  during  his  illness  the  poor  fellow  had  to  be  taken  back 
to  his  miserable  hovel.  He  will  probably  die.  Why  cannot  a  city  like 
Mendota  afford  a  city  hospital  of  moderate  accommodations?  There 
is  hardly  a  village  in  Europe  without  a  small  hospital.  As  a  rule 
Americans  are  far  more  charitable  than  Europeans  individually  but  as 
to  public  charity  they  might  still  learn  a  good  deal  from  folks  across 
the  water.  Let  us  agitate  the  matter.  Here  is  a  good  field  for  Chris- 
tian charity. 


By  1890  Mendota  had  31  real  estate  additions  but  the  population 
had  dropped  to  3,542.  Progress,  however,  continued.  This  decade 
brought  running  water  for  home  use;  of  course  it  wasn't  piped  into 
the  dwelling  but  one  could  have  a  spigot  out  in  the  yard.  In  the 
winter  pipes  froze,  but  in  the  summer  —  ah!  Just  think!  They  could 
now  set  down  a  pail,  turn  the  faucet  and  out  gushed  sparkling  water. 
No  more  pumping  at  the  old  well  in  the  backyard  or  going  to  the 
public  well  during  those  frequent  dry  spells  when  so  many  home  owned 
wells  ran  dry. 


FIRST  CEMENT  SIDEWALKS 

The  first  cement  sidewalks,  few  in  number  but  marvelous  to  see, 
came  in  1895  and  1896.  Henry  Zolper,  father  of  Joseph  and  B.  J., 
laid  a  sidewalk  around  the  Casper  Fischer  building  on  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Washington;  a  second  stretch  of  walk  was  laid  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

A  Chinese  laundry  was  opened  on  the  corner  now  occupied  by 
the  postoffice,  and  Mrs.  Shaw  maintained  a  hat  shop  in  the  location 
now  serving  the  Anderson  Bakery. 

The  block  reaching  from  the  State  Theater  to  Widmer's  Garage 
was  quite  unlike  that  of  today.  Hackett's  livery  stable  extended  from 
the  creek  to  the  Central  Oil  Co.  corner.  Northward  on  Illinois  were 
a  carriage  factory,  a  blacksmith  shop  and  finally  the  feeding  sheds, 
small  buildings  where  for  ten  cents  per  diem  the  farmer  could  "park" 
his  team. 

Mr.  Wershinski  operated  a  large  drygoods  store  in  the  present 
location  of  Yohns.  Julia  Kohl  was  the  fashionable  dressmaker;  brides 
and  girls  going  away  to  school  had  to  have  clothes  by  Miss  Kohl. 
Other  customers  came  from  as  far  as  Chicago. 

Dress  making  was  a  big  job;  Miss  Kohl  employed  a  dozen  girls, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         31 


some  of  them  apprentices  learning  the  trade.  The  client  would  select 
a  design,  and  the  first  step  was  the  drafting  of  a  pattern  which  neces- 
sitated taking  the  customer's  measurements,  always  a  ticklish  job. 
Each  gown  was  custom  made  and  required  numerous  fittings.  Dresses 
were  lined,  skirts  were  stiffened  with  crinoline  and  heavy  linen.  Each 
skirt  had  a  brush  braid  to  protect  it  from  the  first  dirt  of  the  street. 
The  First  National  Bank  now  sought  the  accounts  of  the  ladies, 
and  advertised:  Ladies  accounts  are  too  often  neglected;  their  cash  is 
retained  at  home  and  put  in  some  secret  place,  the  security  of  which 
is  doubtful.  The  First  National  Bank  solicits  the  deposits  from  women. 
Special  attention  will  be  given  their  business  requirements. 

*        *        * 

The  turn  of  the  century  found  Mendota  with  a  population  of 
3,736,  and  a  burning  question  for  discussion  in  the  cigar  stores,  ladies 
whist  and  flinch  clubs:  Does  the  century  turn  in  1900  or  1901? 

$1.50  would  buy  a  pair  of  boy's  shoes  at  Posts'  Shoe  Store  on 
Illinois  Avenue.  Advent  Camp  Meetings  were  held  on  Mendota's 
college  grounds.  Snyder's  Grove  was  the  favored  spot  for  church  pic- 
nics. Pantries  were  standard  equipment  and  always  mentioned  when 
dwellings  were  put  up  for  sale. 


A  VERY  FRANK  ADVERTISEMENT 

One  enterprising  merchant,  Max  Johns  of  North  Main,  advertised 
another  essential:  bed  bug  killer. 

Did  you  say  bed  bug  killer?  Yes,  we  have  it,  sure  thing.  Now  we 
realize  people  do  not  like  to  ask  for  it.  'Fraid  we  will  think  they  are 
bug  house.  We  have  arranged  some  bottles  on  the  show  case.  All  you 
have  to  do  is  drop  your  money  (25c)  to  attract  attention  take  a  bottle 
and  walk  out.    There  will  be  no  questions  asked. 

But  now,  with  50  years  under  her  belt,  the  city  turned  to  the 
meeting  of  a  problem  which  had  been  with  her  since  birth:  the  streets. 

The  argument  that  held  up  street  paving  was,  "Who  is  going  to 
pay  for  this  improvement?"  Finally  it  was  ruled  that  paving  was  a 
private  enterprise  and  the  cost  up  to  the  property  owner,  the  same  as 
paying  for  a  coat  of  paint  on  a  store  front.  Just  or  unjust,  it  was 
the  law. 

The  declining  population  worried  others.  It  was  said  that  it  was 
time  Mendota  woke  up  a  bit  if  she  expected  to  hold  her  own:  Paved 
streets  and  a  new  hotel  are  our  most  pressing  needs  just  now.  After 
we  get  these,  we  will  let  you  rest  a  while. 


32  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Washington  street,  1871.  Stores  had  wooden  awnings  and  wooden  sidewalks. 
The  street  was  dirt  with  brick  crosswalks.  Hitching  posts  lined  the  sidewalks 
and  wagons  were  the  means  of  hauling  supplies  out  to  the  farms. 


A  prize-winning  decorated  car  in  a  paiade  held  about  1916.  The  driver  is 
Grover  Sunday,  and  the  ladies,  who  wore  purple  hats,  are  Mrs.  Robert  Hallenberg, 
Aimee  Madden,  and  Mrs.  D.  C.  Haskell  who  designed  the  float. 


0R£ 


This  old  Illinois  Central   locomotive  was  the  first  motive  power  on  their  line 
and  was  known  as  Engine  Number  One. 


j.      Sp» 


msa&ey  Bmakm, 


por  the  sovgaxMc^rr  op  e*m>mxMGs  ©«tv. 
j    XLLXXrOXS   CBWflAl   iail   soa». 


Iferils  wf^tiita*, 


BETWEEN    AMBOY    AND    WABKLLA. 


fWH*  amkot,  sos»r«  warm, 

U  -  "■>  i-mtskt,  fwsjii        '  ■jfyjSfifrmava,     Bay  i 


lat  it,t*l—m  |>  I* 


< 


tt*5*f*W* 


This  Illinois  Central  time  table  of  1857  shows  14  stops  between  Amboy  and 
Wapella.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  footnotes  state:  "Trains  going  south 
have  the  right  of  road  over  those  of  similar  class  going  north." 


34 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Four    Mendota    bankers,    taken    about    1925.     They   are,   left   to   right,   Dan    C 
Haskell,  Frederick   Haskell   Jr.,   R.   N.   Crawford,  and  A.   A.   Landgraf. 


Main  and  Washington  streets  with  the  first  passenger  house  shown  in  the  dis- 
tance. Note  the  fenced  and  landscaped  depot  grounds.  The  Illinois  Central 
freight  depot,  still  standing,  appears  in  the  right  foreground. 


i!f,fe 


v&*;;«;i* 


This  was  the  old  First  National  Bank  as  it  looked  in  October  of  1895.  Standing 
in  the  doorway  are  two  assistant  cashiers,  R.  N.  Crawford  at  the  left,  and  Fred  H. 
Haskell  Jr.  at  the  right.  The  small  sign  in  the  window  reads  "F.  Gifford,  notary 
public."  The  bank  was  rebuilt  in  1915  when  the  present  stone  front  was  erected 
and  the  building  doubled  in  size.  It  is  now  the  home  of  the  First  State  Bank. 
Note  that  Schuetz  and  Denison,  druggists,  were  located  next  door.  The  horse 
seems  interested  in  the  proceedings. 


An  early  scene  inside  the  Tower  Cultivator  factory  on  route  34,  now  occupied  by 
H.  D.  Hume  Company.  It  shows  the  primitive  type  of  machines  and  belt-operated 
power  lines.     Ollie  Friestad,  at  left,  was  foreman.     Note  the  derby  hats. 


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Mendota  Beer  became  famous  far  and  wide,  as  shown  by  this 
photo  taken  in  Palatine,  Illinois,  in  1870.  This  community  is 
located  northwest  of  Chicago,  many  miles  away.  The  picture 
shows  the  Mendota  beer  sign  on  the  signboard  of  the  Annex 
Hotel.     (Photo  courtesy  Palatine  Enterprise.) 


View  of  Main  street,  showing  Evangelical  church  spire  in  the  distance.  This 
picture  was  taken  in  1867.  Note  young  trees  in  foreground,  long  since  removed. 
In  far  background,  left,  note  old  Blackstone  school. 


*'    **«*    " 


38  MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


The  first  contingent  of  Mendota  young  men  to  leave  for  military  service  at  the 
outbreak  of  World  War  I.  Hundreds  more  followed  in  their  wake  as  the  nation 
mobilized  in  the  war  to  preserve  democracy. 


Harry  Burright,  Mendota  boy  and 
member  of  the  famous  harness 
racing  Burrights,  shown  with  Jerry 
Hanover,  famous  racing  trotter  who 
has   a   record  of   2:06. 


\  proud  early  automobile,  taken  on  a  dirt  road  on  what  is  now  highway  51 
near  Mendota  lake.  The  year  was  1907  and  seated  in  the  Jackson  phaeton  are 
Carl  Yost,  driver,  Fred  Yost  and  John  Yost.  In  the  background  is  the  old  ice 
house. 

Transportation  in  the  early  days.  Airs.  Claude  Radley  is  seated  in  the  Radley's 
1903  sin^le-cvlinder  chain  drive  Reo  with  a  friend  from  Aurora.  Her  nephew  is 
standing  beside  the  car.  Picture  taken  on  Boozle's  bridge,  crossing  Indian  creek, 
near  Earlville. 


40 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


AND  rOR  THE  PEOPLE 


H 


.AD  THE  YOUNG  city  continued  to  observe  its  original  set  of 
ordinances,  life  in  Mendota  today  would  follow  a  markedly  different 
pattern. 

The  first  set  of  governing  ordinances,  adopted  July  4,  1885,  by 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  set  down  the  following  regulations: 

1.  That  no  license  for  the  sale  of  intoxicating  spirituous  or 
mixed  liquors  shall  be  granted  within  this  corporation. 

2.  That  all  persons  engaged  in  assaults  and  batteries  and 
affrays  within  the  limits  of  this  corporation  shall  be 
prosecuted  and  such  punishment  shall  be  inflicted  and 
such  fine  be  assessed  as  is  provided  by  the  Laws  of  the 
State. 

3.  That  all  persons  riding,  driving,  racing  or  trying  the 
speed  of  horses  or  other  animals  within  the  corporation 
at  a  dangerous  speed  shall  upon  conviction  be  fined  five 
dollars  and  costs  of  prosecution. 

4.  That  any  person  keeping  open  any  tippling  house  or 
grocery  on  the  Sabbath  Day  shall  be  fined  twenty  dollars 
for  each  offense. 

5.  That  there  shall  be  no  slaughtering  or  killing  of  cattle, 
hogs,  or  sheep  done  within  the  limits  of  this  corporation 
between  the  first  of  April  and  the  first  of  November  of 
each  year.  Any  person  violating  this  section  of  this  or- 
dinance shall  upon  conviction  be  fined  five  dollars  for 
each  offense. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


41 


6.  That  any  person  keeping  open  any  tippling  house,  dram 
shop,  gaming  house,  bawdy  or  other  disorderly  house 
shall  be  fined  ten  dollars  for  each  day  the  same  shall  be 
kept  open. 

7.  That  any  person  gambling  in  any  public  or  private  house 
within  the  limits  of  the  corporation  shall  upon  convic- 
tion be  fined  ten  dollars  for  each  offense." 

The  settlement  that  rapidly  became  the  City  of  Mendota  had  its 
beginning  as  early  as  1850  in  what  was  then  the  Township  of  Meriden. 
Meriden  Township  as  originally  organized  in  the  year  1850  included 
what  is  now  Mendota  Township,  not  separately  organized  until  1856. 

It  became  generally  known  in  the  spring  of  1853  that  the  junction 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  and  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad  would  be  at  the  little  settlement  known  as  Mendota.  By  the 
fall  of  1853  both  of  these  railroads  maintained  an  office  in  Mendota. 
In  this  same  year  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  platted  into  lots  and 
blocks  that  part  of  the  city  known  as  the  Illinois  Central  Addition  to 
the  City  of  Mendota.  Timothy  B.  Blackstone  platted  what  is  known 
as  the  original  Town  of  Mendota. 


CORPORATE  ORGANIZATION 

The  settlement  grew  rapidly  and  the  first  record  of  a  corporate 
organization  of  the  village  as  a  separate  political  subdivision  is  June 
28,  1855.  In  the  early  part  of  1855  the  people  of  the  settlement  com- 
plied with  the  requirements  of  a  general  act  of  incorporation  passed 
some  years  earlier  by  the  Illinois  legislature,  and  incorporated  the 
settlement  as   a   separate  political   subdivision. 

An  election  was  held  in  early  June,  1855,  at  which  were  elected 
five  trustees  of  the  Town  of  Mendota.  The  minutes  of  the  first  meeting 
of  this  Board  of  Trustees  commences:  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees 
elect  of  the  corporation  of  the  town  of  Mendota — Present:  J. 
H.  Adams,  Samson  Lamb,  U.  P.  Golliday,  C.  M.  Johnson,  D.  G.  Bly. 
This  first  meeting  was  adjourned  after  electing  J.  H.  Adams  President 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  on  July  6,  1855 
the  Board  defined  the  boundaries  of  the  town  as  the  boundaries  of 
Section  33,  Township  36  N.  Range  1  East  of  the  Third  Principal 
Meridian.    For  rules  of  order  the  Board  adopted  the  Jefferson  Manual. 

Much  remained  to  be  done  to  start  the  new  town  functioning. 
Sources  of  income  were  needed  to  finance  the  government  of  the  new 
town  and  the  Board  of  Trustees  met  frequently.     On  July  10,   1855 


42 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


the  first  tax  ordinance  was  adopted  by  the  Board.    It  read  as  follows: 
Ordered  that  a  tax  be  levied  and  collected  on  all  showmen 
and  juglers  as  follows,  viz.,  that  all  menageries  and  circuses 
pay  ten  dollars  each,  also  that  all  smaller  shows  and  juglers 
pay  five  dollars  each. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  passed  many  additional  ordinances  during 
the  next  three  months,  including  one  providing  for  the  levying  of  a 
tax  on  all  real  and  personal  property  at  a  rate  of  30  cents  for  every 
$100  valuation. 

Another  interesting  ordinance  passed  at  this  time  required  all 
persons  over  21  and  under  50  years  of  age  residing  within  the  limits 
of  the  corporation  to  work  three  days  a  year  on  the  streets  and  roads 
as  a  "Poll  Tax".  Apparently  disfranchisement  was  not  sufficient 
inducement  to  get  the  necessary  work  done  because  within  a  year  this 
ordinance  was  superseded  by  one  requiring  all  males  over  21  and 
under  60  years  of  age  to  work  three  days  per  year  on  the  streets  or 
be  subject  to  a  fine  of  three  dollars  plus  the  costs  of  prosecution. 
By  the  fall  of  1855  sufficient  funds  had  accumulated  in  the  town 
treasury  to  enable  the  Board  to  adopt  an  ordinance  providing  for  a 
local  improvement,  part  of  the  cost  of  which  was  to  be  borne  by  the 
town.  The  improvement  consisted  of  a  plank  sidewalk  six  feet  wide 
along  the  west  side  of  Main  Street,  extending  from  Monroe  Street 
to  Washington  Street.  Property  owners  were  assessed  at  the  rate  of 
45  cents  per  front  foot  for  their  share  of  the  cost. 

This  same  year  the  Board  allocated  town  funds  for  the  sinking 
of  two  public  wells.  The  specifications  provided  the  wells  were  to  be 
of  sufficient  depth  to  afford  an  ample  supply  of  water  at  all  times. 
They  were  to  be  walled  with  stone  at  least  a  foot  thick  and  to  have  an 
inner  diameter  of  at  least  six  feet.  The  tops  of  the  wells  were  to  be 
covered  with  plank  and  suitable  pumps  installed  therein.  The  work 
was  done  by  contract  and  the  first  two  wells  located  on  the  east  side 
of  Illinois  Avenue  at  Washington,  and  the  north  side  of  Sixth  Street 
just  east  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  tracks. 

A  town  seal  was  purchased  in  December,  1855,  the  impression 
being  that  of  a  flying  bird  and  a  field  view  surrounded  by  the  words 
"corporate  seal  of  the  town  of  mendota". 

Even  with  these  expenditures  the  town  treasury  must  not  have 
been  entirely  depleted,  for  in  the  spring  of  1857  the  Board  of  Trustees 
had  the  audacity  to  pass  an  ordinance  providing  compensation  for 
themselves  in  the  amount  of  $1.00  per  meeting. 

Under  the  town  organization  the  Trustees  were  elected  for  a  term 
of  one  year.    There  was  a  substantial  change  in  the  membership  of 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


43 


the  Board  of  Trustees  in  1857.  The  Board  elect  that  year  consisted  of 
I.  B.  McFarland,  John  Phillips,  D.  G.  Bly,  George  Woods,  and  James 
Kenworthy,  the  latter  being  chosen  president.  C.  H.  Gilman,  one  of 
Mendota's  first  lawyers,  was  appointed  clerk  for  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees. He  later  became  the  first  town  attorney.  A  new  office,  that  of 
Police  Magistrate,  appeared  on  the  ballot  at  this  election.  Levi  Kelsey 
was  elected  to  this  position. 


IT'S  THE  LAW! 

Within  the  year  the  liquor  ordinance  was  amended  to  permit  the 
Board  of  Trustees  to  issue  liquor  licenses  to  such  persons  as  they 
deemed  fit.  The  license  fee  was  $100  per  year  and  the  license  could 
be  revoked  at  the  discretion  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  at  any  time,  in 
which  case  the  fee  was  forfeited.  With  the  return  of  intoxicating 
beverages  the  Board  lost  no  time  in  providing  for  heavy  fines  for 
persons  found  intoxicated  and  also  provided  that  such  fines  could  be 
worked  out  at  the  rate  of  $1.00  per  day  laboring  on  the  streets  of 
the  town. 

Another  ordinance  of  this  era  provided  for  the  regulation  and 
licensing  of  bowling  alleys.  This  ordinance  originally  covered  the 
game  of  "ten  pins".  Possibly  some  enterprising  gentleman  painted 
an  extra  pin  on  his  alley  and  called  the  game  "eleven  pins"  in  order  to 
escape  the  effect  of  this  regulation  because  the  ordinance  was  amended 
to  include  "all  pin  alleys  from  one  to  twenty  pins". 

By  1859  the  town  found  itself  in  need  of  a  jail.  Plans  for  a  new 
"calaboose"  were  examined  and  accepted  at  a  meeting  of  the  Town 
Board  of  May  6  of  that  year.  A  contract  for  building  the  "calaboose" 
on  the  site  of  the  present  City  Hall  was  awarded  and  construction 
completed  several  months  later.  After  a  short  consultation  with  their 
dietician  the  Trustees  decided  that  bread  and  water  twice  a  day  would 
be  an  adequate  diet  for  all  prisoners  lodged  therein  and  it  was  so 
ordained. 

After  the  calaboose  was  completed  it  became  the  meeting  place 
for  the  Town  Board  for  a  number  of  years.  It  was  also  the  official 
polling  place  for  all  subsequent  town  elections. 

Improvements  came  rapidly  in  the  next  few  years.  A  plank 
crossing  had  been  established  over  the  railroads  at  Sixth  Street  in 
1856,  and  in  the  year  1864  a  similar  crossing  was  ordered  established 
at  Eighth  Street.  Several  miles  of  plank  sidewalk  were  laid  in  and 
around  the  business  district. 


44 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


The  town  authorized  and  paid  for  no  less  than  25  additional  pub- 
lic wells  in  the  next  fifteen  years.  In  these  early  days  there  were  no 
storm  or  sanitary  sewers  in  the  town  and  the  Trustees  frequently 
appropriated  money  for  the  construction  of  numerous  drainage  ditches 
along  the  town  streets.  Not  until  1870  did  the  city  begin  to  lay  drain- 
age tile  along  the  edges  of  the  more  heavily  travelled  streets. 

Dog  owners  had  their  troubles  even  in  those  days.  An  ordinance 
passed  May  6,  1859,  required  an  annual  license  fee  of  $2  for  each  dog. 
It  also  provided  that  between  May  1  and  October  1  of  each  year  the 
owners  of  dogs  were  required  to  "put  a  sufficient  muzzle  upon  the  nose 
of  such  dogs  when  running  at  large  to  prevent  biting."  It  further 
provided  that  any  dog  found  running  at  large  without  a  muzzle  be- 
tween the  aforesaid  dates  might  be  killed  on  sight  by  any  person,  and 
the  owner  was  declared  to  have  forfeited  any  right  to  sue  for  the  loss 
of  the  dog. 

In  February  of  1859  the  Illinois  legislature  passed  a  special  act 
incorporating  the  Town  of  Mendota.  As  previously  stated,  the  town 
was  first  incorporated  in  the  year  1855  under  a  general  act  of  incor- 
poration. The  act  of  1859  increased  to  some  extent  the  powers  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  and  specifically  designated  the  qualifications 
and  duties  of  the  Trustees  and  other  town  officers. 

It  is  strange,  however,  that  nowhere  in  the  minutes  of  the  meet- 
ings of  the  Town  Board  through  the  year  1859  is  there  any  record 
of  mention  having  been  made  of  this  special  act  to  incorporate  the 
Town  of  Mendota.  Possibly  the  Trustees  were  unaware  of  its  passage 
or  perhaps  they  did  not  deem  it  of  sufficient  importance  to  warrant 
official  mention,  as  for  some  while  they  had  been  exercising  most  of 
the  powers  granted  them  under  this  act. 

On  February  26,  1860,  a  committee  presented  a  petition  to  the 
Town  Board  asking  them  to  establish  a  fire  company  and  to  furnish 
said  company  with  such  apparatus  as  they  deemed  necessary  for  the 
effective  extinguishment  of  fires.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  ascer- 
tain the  cost  of  buckets,  hooks  and  ladders.  On  November  30,  1860 
a  fire  "engine"  was  purchased  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri  at  a  cost  of  $400. 
The  records  do  not  show  what  type  of  "engine"  this  was  but  it  is 
believed  to  have  consisted  of  a  hand  operated  pump.  In  April  1862 
a  contract  was  awarded  for  the  building  of  a  ladder  cart  and  a  hook 
and  ladder  house  for  the  newly  established  fire  brigade. 

In  the  fall  of  1866  the  Town  Board  was  petitioned  by  a  group 
of  citizens  to  erect  street  lamps  in  certain  specified  locations.  The 
petition  was  rejected,  apparently  on  the  theory  that  street  lights  were 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


45 


an  unnecessary  luxury  and  town  funds  could  be  more  properly  spent 
for  other  purposes. 

On  November  1,  1866,  the  Town  Board  appointed  a  committee 
to  inquire  into  the  possibility  of  incorporating  the  town  as  a  city  and 
to  draw  up  a  city  charter.  The  members  of  this  committee  were  J.  L. 
Watkins,  J.  0.  Lathrop,  William  Wirick  and  John  McGinnis.  At  the 
meeting  of  January  10,  1867  the  city  charter  prepared  by  this  com- 
mittee was  presented  to  and  approved  by  the  Town  Board. 

The  charter  was  granted  by  the  State  Legislature  in  February 
and  a  special  election  was  held  at  the  calaboose  on  March  4,  1867,  at 
which  238  people  voted  for  and  64  against  the  adoption  of  the  charter 
as  passed  by  the  Legislature.  At  a  meeting  of  March  11,  1867  the 
Town  Board  divided  the  city  into  four  wards  and  arrangements  were 
made  for  a  city  election. 

This  election  was  held  April  9,  1867.  The  Town  Board  of  Trus- 
tees met  three  days  later  and  canvassed  the  election  returns  of  the 
various  wards.  They  announced  the  election  of  the  following  persons: 
Mayor,  Boyd  Lowe;  City  Clerk,  George  Guy;  City  Marshal,  Thomas 
Forrestall;  Treasurer,  E.  A.  Bowen;  Attorney,  D.  A.  Cook;  Assessor, 
D.  Y.  Loud;  Supervisor  of  Streets,  Jacob  Nisley;  Aldermen,  1st  Ward, 
William  Wirick,  George  M.  Price,  Frank  Meisenbach;  Aldermen,  2nd 
Ward,  E.  A.  Bowen,  William  Van  Vleit,  F.  Jewell;  Aldermen,  3rd 
Ward,  J.  W.  Edwards,  Perley  Stone,  Patrick  Dunn;  Aldermen,  4th 
Ward,  John  Gilmore,  G.  N.  Jones,  J.  M.  Hall.  This  was  the  last  official 
act  of  the  Town  Board  and  they  then  adjourned  leaving  in  their  stead 
a  city  form  of  government. 


The  first  city  council  meeting  was  held  April  27,  1867.  Rules 
of  Order  were  adopted  and  committees  appointed.  Each  ward  was  to 
have  one  alderman  coming  up  for  election  each  year.  Therefore,  the 
aldermen  from  the  various  wards  drew  lots  to  determine  whether  they 
would  hold  office  for  a  one,  two  or  three  year  term.  All  aldermen 
subsequently  elected  would  hold  office  for  a  full  three  year  term.  It 
was  decided  that  regular  meetings  would  be  held  on  the  second  Mon- 
day of  each  month.  A  new  city  seal  was  adopted.  On  October  8,  the 
council  appropriated  funds  for  the  opening  and  grading  of  Thirteenth 
Avenue  from  Washington  Street  northward  to  the  city  limits.  The 
Mayor's  salary  was  fixed  by  the  council  at  $250  per  year.  In  1869 
this  was  raised  to  $400. 

In  the  council  meeting  of  June  6,  1870  the  question  of  street 
lights  was  again  raised.  A  petition  signed  by  numerous  citizens  and 
businessmen   was   read   requesting  the  erection   of  street  lamps  to  be 


46 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


lighted  with  gasoline  at  various  places  in  the  business  district  of  the 
city.  The  petition  stated  that  a  new  type  of  gasoline  burner  could  be 
kept  lighted  at  a  cost  of  5  cents  per  night. 

Another  petition  by  the  businessmen  directed  to  the  council  was 
then  read.  It  requested  that  the  salary  of  the  city  marshal  be  raised 
from  $60  to  $75  per  month.  It  was  then  suggested  by  one  of  the  alder- 
men that  the  city  would  be  glad  to  increase  the  salary  of  the  city 
marshal  if  the  petitioners  desiring  the  increase  would  contribute  the 
funds  from  which  the  same  could  be  paid.  (With  street  lights  and  an 
increase  in  the  marshal's  salary  being  desired  by  the  businessmen, 
it  seems  possible  the  city  might  have  been  experiencing  a  wave  of 
vandalism.)  The  council  however  seemed  to  have  more  weighty  mat- 
ters to  deal  with  than  these  petitions,  and  a  motion  to  postpone  indefi- 
nitely further  discussion  of  them  was  made  and  carried. 

*  *  * 

Even  though  one  of  the  aldermen  had  only  recently  remarked, 
after  some  repairs  to  the  calaboose  had  been  completed,  that  "it  was 
good  enough  for  a  drunken  man  or  any  other  man",  the  council 
seemed  to  be  of  the  opinion  that  a  body  of  their  dignity  should  have 
a  more  stately  meeting  place.  Accordingly,  in  1871,  (Blackstone  School 
having  been  completed)  they  purchased  for  use  as  a  City  Hall  the  old 
west  side  school  building  and  site  for  the  sum  of  $3,500.  The  site 
of  the  old  school  is  now  part  of  our  Library  Park. 

*         *         * 

Patrick  Dunn  was  a  notable  alderman  from  the  third  ward.  No 
one  ever  thought  of  running  against  him.  He  made  one  unique  propo- 
sition to  the  city  council,  namely,  that  the  town  should  excavate  a 
series  of  canals  and  furnish  them  with  gondolas  for  recreational  pur- 
poses.  His  idea  died  aborning. 


THE  ARTESIAN  WELL  FIASCO 

The  City  Council  was  approached  several  times  in  1870  and 
early  1871  by  groups  of  citizens  requesting  the  building  of  cisterns 
in  various  parts  of  the  town  to  aid  in  the  extinguishment  of  fires. 
There  was  also  some  discussion  of  what  was  referred  to  in  the  minutes 
of  the  council  proceedings  as  an  "Artesian"  well,  but  no  action  of 
any  sort  was  taken.  However,  when  the  council  met  on  October  9, 
1871  the  embers  of  the  great  Chicago  fire  were  still  smoldering.  After 
some  discussion  as  to  what  should  be  done  in  the  way  of  aid  to  the 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


47 


people  of  Chicago  the  heretofore  sadly  neglected  fire  brigade  received 
top  priority. 

One  of  the  aldermen  moved  that  the  Marshal  and  Supervisor  be 
directed  to  remove  all  hay,  straw  stacks  and  other  combustible  ma- 
terial located  within  the  city  in  such  places  to  endanger  property  in 
the  event  of  fire.  Twenty-four  hours  notice  for  such  removal  was  given 
to  the  owners  of  dangerously  placed  straw  stacks,  et  cetera,  and  the 
Marshal  and  Supervisor  were  instructed  to  remove  the  same  if  the 
owners  failed  to  do  so. 

On  November  6,  1871  a  commission  was  appointed  to  determine 
the  cost  of  laying  a  water  main  from  the  Illinois  Central  water  tank 
to  a  proposed  fire  hydrant  to  be  located  on  Main  Street.  Several  addi- 
tional wells  were  ordered  dug  in  various  parts  of  the  city  and  an  ordi- 
nance establishing  a  fire  department  consisting  of  a  fire  marshal,  one 
foreman,  one  assistant  foreman,  fire  engine  men,  horse  men,  hook  and 
ladder  men  and  axe  men  was  adopted. 

If  the  newly  organized  and  newly  equipped  fire  department  was 
to  be  effective  in  fighting  fires  an  ample  supply  of  water  was  a  ne- 
cessity. 

As  nearly  as  can  be  determined,  the  first  deep  well  in  the  com- 
munity, the  famous  Artesian  well  at  Sixth  street  and  Main,  on  Delaney's 
corner  was  begun  as  a  commercial  venture,  for  general  exploratory 
purpose,  in  the  hope  of  striking  coal  or  oil,  with  water  a  secondary 
consideration.  The  Artesian  Water  &  Coal  company,  sponsors  of  the 
enterprise,  was  organized  in  February,  1873,  with  100  shares  of  stock 
sold  at  $25  per  share.  The  next  month  a  committee  of  the  shareholders, 
M.  A.  McKey,  Col.  E.  A.  Bowen,  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook,  L.  Marks,  G.  A. 
Kellenberger,  Jr.,  S.  A.  Rogers,  D.  D.  Guiles  and  S.  Arnold  undertook 
the  selection  of  a  site  for  the  well. 

The  history  of  the  company  and  how  the  artesian  well  finally 
became  a  municipal  project  is  of  some  interest,  since  it  absorbed  our 
efforts  to  secure  a  water  supply  for  over  15  years.  Following  is  a  brief 
chronology  of  activity  during  1873,  as  appearing  in  the  local  press  of 
the  period: 

May  16,  1873.  The  Big  Bore  Progresses.  Frame  pyramid  50  feet 
high  for  derrick.  If  subscribers  wish  to  see  work  pushed  forward 
promptly  they  must  be  prompt  in  meeting  their  assessments.  Being 
rigged  to  penetrate  600  feet  if  necessary. 

June  27,  1873.  Artesian  Well  at  a  depth  of  145  feet  now  in  blue 
clay  strata. 

July  11,  1873.  At  170  feet  passed  nine  inch  vein  of  coal  —  now 
at  180  feet.    Drill  at  200  boring  through  sand  rock.    Eight  horse  power 


48 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


steam  engine  is   inadequate.     City  votes  to   donate   steam   engine   of 
sufficient  power. 

July  18,  1873.  New  steam  engine  bought  by  city  for  use  of 
Artesian  Well  company  is  a  brand  new  15-horse  portable  and  cost 
$1140.    Purchased  in  Chicago  and  shipped  yesterday. 

August  1,  1873.  Work  on  artesian  well  not  yet  resumed  since 
parting  of  cable  leaving  drill  at  bottom  of  bore,  which  occurred  about 
two  weeks  ago. 

August  8,  1873.  Artesian  well  in  status  quo.  A  jarrer  and  other 
tools  have  been  secured  and  contractor  is  confident  he  will  have  a  big 
drill  raised  and  working  again  in  few  days. 

August  29,  1873.  Notice  of  meeting  to  friends  and  subscribers  to 
Artesian  Water  &  Coal  Fund,  August  21,  Cooper's  Hall,  to  decide 
whether  to  abandon  enterprise  or  commence  new  well.  Signed  by 
Bowen  and  McKey. 

September  5,  1873.  Last  Monday  heavy  iron  drill,  nearly  40  feet 
long,  was  successfully  grappled  and  hoisted  out.  A  large  crowd  assem- 
bled and  when  it  was  safely  secured  above  ground  a  hearty  cheer  rent 
the  air.  Acting  on  impulse,  someone  passed  around  a  hat  and  took  up  a 
donation  to  be  presented  to  the  indefatigable  and  plucky  contractor 
and  nearly  $50  was  thus  raised.  With  a  new  cable  and  new  engine  on 
the  way  from  Buffalo,  will  now  progress  steadily  downward. 

September  26,  1873.  Artesian  well  again  at  a  standstill.  Gravel 
fallen  in  through  broken  tubing  has  submerged  drill  which  is  fast  in 
bottom. 

October  10,  1873.  Mendota  Artesian  Well  &  Coal  company  ceased 
work  and  are  to  go  into  liquidation.  Proposed  to  collect  unpaid  sub- 
scriptions and  tender  machinery,  tools  and  fixtures  to  city  as  a  gift. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  City  Council,  resolved  to  bore  well  at 
public  expense  if  ratified  at  special  election  October  20. 

October  24,  1873.     Result  of  special  election  October  20: 

For  Artesian  Well 246 

Against   99 

Council  to  advertise  for  bids. 

November  28,  1873.  Contract  for  boring  well  awarded  by  city  to 
McDougal  &  Joyce  of  Petrolia,  Canada,  who  agree  to  bore  well  of 
1,000  feet  at  $3.75  per  foot.  Will  buy  engine  from  city  and  pay  $100 
for  lumber  in  derrick  and  shanty  now  on  grounds. 

It  is  strange  that  in  the  course  of  1,000  feet  of  drilling  no  water 
suitable  to  the  taste  of  the  council  was  encountered.  That  seems  to  have 
been  the  case  however  and  the  council  decided  to  increase  the  depth 
of  the  well  to  1,200  feet.    After  this  depth  was  reached  there  was  still 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


49 


nothing  favorable  to  report  and  on  March  9,  the  city  council  conferred 
with  a  geologist  with  respect  to  sinking  the  well  still  deeper.  Perhaps 
they  began  to  have  visions  of  oil,  for  a  month  later  they  voted  to 
increase  the  depth  of  the  well  to  1,600  feet. 

During  the  next  three  or  four  weeks  the  drilling  continued  at 
a  frenzied  pace.  The  machinery  was  not  even  slowed  down  upon 
reaching  1,600  feet  but  the  work  proceeded  until  the  well  had  been 
sunk  to  a  depth  of  2,000  feet. 

With  no  satisfactory  water  being  found  at  this  depth  the  council 
apparently  became  somewhat  concerned  and  did  not  care  to  have 
the  responsibility  of  determining  whether  the  well  should  be  aban- 
doned or  drilled  still  deeper.  A  city  election  was  held  on  June  8  in 
which  127  people  voted  for  drilling  to  a  depth  of  2,300  feet  and  95 
were  against  proceeding  any  further.  Whether  the  drilling  was  again 
commenced  immediately  after  this  election  does  not  appear  in  the 
minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  council.  It  is  known,  however, 
that  sometime  during  the  next  year  the  depth  of  the  well  was  increased 
at  least  150  feet. 

By  this  time  nearly  $13,000  had  been  spent  and  no  suitable  water 
vein  had  been  encountered.  This  fact  undoubtedly  was  a  source  of  great 
irritation  to  the  taxpayers  as  well  as  to  the  city  council — so  much  so 
that  no  further  mention  of  the  well  appears  in  the  minutes  until  June 
3,  1876,  when  the  Mayor  stated  that  the  well  had  been  temporarily 
capped,  had  been  reopened  and  water  found  standing  36  feet  below 
the  surface.  The  Mayor  proposed  to  erect  a  pump  and  test  the 
quality  and  quantity  of  the  water.  Water  was  pumped  from  the  well 
for  many  hours  without  any  apparent  decrease  in  its  level. 

A  subsequent  analysis  of  the  water  showed  that  it  contained 
among  other  things  "calcium,  magnesia,  alunina,  protoxide  of  iron 
and  sodium  chloride".  It  also  stated  that  the  water  had  "cathartic 
properties  and  a  saline,  but  not  disagreeable  taste." 


WATER,  WATER  EVERYWHERE 

With  this  report  apparently  most  people  tried  to  forget  the  entire 
fiasco,  but  the  sentiment  of  at  least  one  party  was  expressed  in  a  letter 
published  in  a  local  paper  soon  after  the  city  council  had  purchased  a 
cannon  for  the  sum  of  $160.  After  mentioning  this  purchase  the  letter 
continued — Now  if  the  city  dads  will  just  take  that  old  cannon  and 
plant  its  muzzle  pointing  towards  heaven  in  the  top  of  our  $13,000 
Artesian  well-hole  it  will  be  an  appropriate  climax  and  fitting  monument 


50 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


to  remind  future  generations  of  the  bountiful  beneficence  of  the  alder- 
men of  the  present  generation!"    Signed,  "A  Tax  Payer". 

In  1880  a  hole  about  20  feet  deep  was  dug  around  the  Artesian 
well  piping  and  lined  with  stone.  A  pump  and  steam  engine  were 
installed  at  the  bottom.  An  article  in  the  Mendota  paper  noted  "the 
male  population  of  Mendota  is  becoming  hump-backed  from  looking 
down  the  Artesian  well-hole  to  see  the  steam  pump  work".  This  article 
also  referred  to  the  well  as  being  2,200  feet  deep,  having  cost  $15,000 
to  date,  and  yielding  water  too  warm  and  tasteless  for  drinking. 

On  September  11,  1880  the  committee  on  the  Artesian  well  made 
this  brief  report,  "It  is  finished!"  Whether  this  report  referred  to 
the  well  or  to  the  committee  is  not  known,  probably  both,  as  neither 
was  ever  again  referred  to  in  the  minutes  of  the  council. 


In  April,  1882,  notwithstanding  the  costly  and  ill-fated  Artesian 
well  venture,  the  City  Council,  faced  with  an  ever  increasing  need  for 
a  city  water  system,  embarked  upon  a  water  works  project.  In  an 
election  held  June  1,  the  populace  voted  for  the  establishment  of  a 
water  works;  plans  and  specifications  were  adopted  two  months  later. 
In  September  of  1883,  work  was  commenced  on  a  well  at  the  location 
of  the  present  water  works  buildings  and  an  adequate  vein  of  water 
found  at  a  depth  of  about  450  feet. 

"The  Mayor  and  water  commission"  journeyed  to  Chicago  to 
purchase  pipes  for  the  water  mains,  at  a  cost  of  $34  per  ton.  Fire 
hydrants  were  installed  at  frequent  intervals  as  the  mains  were  laid. 
Workers  laying  the  water  mains  were  paid  $1.25  a  day.  The  original 
installations,  including  a  steam  pump,  water  tower  or  stand  pipe  and 
a   cottage  for  a  water  works  attendant  were  completed  about  1886. 

Construction  of  a  more  adequate  water  works  building  was  com- 
menced in  1888  and  in  1889  an  ordinance  on  water  rates  was  passed 
and  the  first  public  drinking  fountain  was  erected  at  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Washington  Streets  in  July  of  that  year.  A  statement  pub- 
lished in  May  of  1890  showed  that  1%  miles  of  water  mains  had  been 
laid  in  the  past  year  and  that  there  were  43  fire  hydrants  in  the  city 
at  this  time.  During  the  remainder  of  the  year  several  thousand  feet 
of  additional  water  mains  were  laid  in  the  first  ward.  The  city  in  that 
year  agreed  to  furnish  water  for  the  engines  of  the  Burlington  rail- 
road at  a  rate  of  6  cents  per  1,000  gallons. 

A  second  water  works  well  was  commenced  in  the  fall  of  1891. 
This  well  was  completed  the  following  spring  and  a  new  steam  pump 
with  a  capacity  of  180  gallons  per  minute  was  installed.  By  May  1, 
1892,  the  city  had  8  miles  of  water  mains,  65  fire  hydrants,  8  public 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  51 


drinking  fountains  and  about  250  water  customers.  $51,000  had  been 
spent  on  the  water  system  as  of  that  date.  During  the  next  five  years 
the  city  acquired  an  additional  5  miles  of  water  mains  and  the  num- 
ber of  consumers  more  than  doubled. 


In  1874  Messrs.  Darlington  and  Turnbolt  were  authorized  to  es- 
tablish Mendota's  first  gas  plant.  One  and  one-quarter  miles  of  gas 
pipes  were  installed  on  the  west  side  of  the  city  that  fall.  In  December 
of  that  year  Mendota's  first  gas  lights  were  installed  in  the  City  Hall, 
and  the  council  voted  to  install  gas  street  lights  in  various  places 
throughout  the  business  district,  including  the  railroad  crossing. 

Additional  street  lamps  were  authorized  in  the  years  immediately 
following,  and  in  January  1884  their  number  was  sufficient  to  warrant 
the  hiring  of  an  official  lamp  lighter  who  was  salaried  at  $10  per 
month.  The  gas  lamps  were  lighted  after  sunset  and  extinguished  at 
11  p.m. 

In  1883  the  first  electric  light  ordinance  was  adopted,  authorizing 
Lewis  R.  Curtis,  Max  A.  Haass,  David  Rude  and  Frank  P.  Snyder  of 
Mendota,  Illinois,  and  their  associates,  to  construct  and  operate  an 
electric  plant  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  light  and  power  to  the 
City  of  Mendota.  A  steam  generating  plant  was  constructed  east  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  about  a  block  north  of  the  business  district. 

The  first  electric  street  lights,  consisting  of  21  16-candle  power 
lamps  which  were  lighted  from  one-half  hour  after  sunset  until  mid- 
night, were  installed  in  the  summer  of  1889.  The  first  electric  fire 
alarm  system  was  installed  in  1897  at  a  cost  of  approximately  $1800. 
In  1901  a  light  was  placed  on  top  of  the  water  tower. 


DOWN  FOR  THE  COUNT 

The  year  1925  saw  the  installation  of  a  traffic  light  in  the  center 
of  the  intersection  of  Washington  Street  and  Thirteenth  Avenue.  The 
hazardous  location  of  the  light  post  resulted  in  it  being  frequently 
damaged  by  passing  vehicles.  After  a  particularly  hard  knock  a  few 
years  later  the  council  decided  to  remove  the  signal  rather  than  repair 
it  again. 

#         *         * 

Washington  Street  was  the  first  in  the  city  to  be  graveled.  This 
work  was  commenced  in  1872,  using  crushed  stone  purchased  from  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  at  a  cost  of  50  cents  per  cubic  yard.     The 

52  MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


city  bore  part  of  the  expense,  with  the  property  owners  along  Wash- 
ington Street  being  assessed  at  the  rate  of  60  cents  per  front  foot  for 
the  improvement,  which  included  gutters  paved  with  llagstone. 

During  the  next  ten  years  most  of  the  downtown  business  streets 
were  graveled.  Some  of  this  early  graveling  was  referred  to  as 
"macadamizing''.  This  consisted  of  several  layers  of  coarse  crushed 
rock  or  gravel,  each  of  which  were  separately  rolled.  The  final  layer 
was  then  covered  with  fine  gravel.  The  first  brick  paving  was  laid  on 
Main  Street  just  after  the  turn  of  the  century.  Additional  brick  pav- 
ing was  laid  on  parts  of  Fifth  Street,  Sixth  Street,  Fourth  Avenue, 
Tenth  Avenue  and  Thirteenth  Avenue,  and  most  of  the  business  dis- 
trict by  1915. 

In  1919  the  first  concrete  was  laid  from  the  Fourth  Avenue  sub- 
way north  to  the  high  school  then  west  to  Illinois  Avenue  and  south  to 
the  Illinois  Central  crossing  on  Meriden  Street.  The  late  1920's  and 
and  early  1930's  brought  concrete  pavement  to  a  large  part  of  the 
city,  the  cost  of  which  was  met  by  special  assessments. 

*         #         * 

The  hottest  mayoral  election  in  the  city's  history  was  that  of  1915, 
when  Ralph  Madden,  known  because  of  his  youth  as  the  "Boy  Mayor" 
defeated  the  incumbent  Charles  L.  Rogers  by  one  vote. 

Rogers  contested  the  election,  arguing  that  many  valid  ballots  had 
been  disqualified  on  insufficient  grounds  in  an  attempt  to  defeat  him. 
A  recount  was  made  —  and  Madden  was  declared  the  victor,  still  by 
one  vote. 

Undoubtedly  pride,  rather  than  the  $60  salary,  prompted  Rogers' 
fight  for  the  job. 

#«  •it- 

Other  highlights  from  the  minutes  of  the  council  meetings  through 
the  years  include : 

The  City,  in  the  1870's  and  1880's,  borrowed  various  sums  of 
money  by  issuing  bonds.  The  interest  rates  varied  and  the  size  of  the 
issues  was  frequently  only  $2,000  or  $3,000.  Some  of  the  issues  appear 
to  have  consisted  of  one  or  two  bonds  purchased  by  residents  of  the 
city. 

In  1880  the  council  voted  to  remove  a  peanut  stand  from  the 
corner  of  Main  and  Washington  Streets  because  the  crowd  of  boys 
attracted  by  the  stand  obstructed  traffic. 

In  1887  a  town  clock  was  purchased  to  be  placed  in  the  old  depot. 

Plans  for  the  first  sanitary  sewer  system  were  adopted.  In  1896 
construction  was  begun  and  continued  through  the  year  1907.  The 
cost  was  met  by  special  assessments.     This  sewer  system  was  on  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


53 


west  side  of  the  city  and  a  few  years  later  a  second  sanitary  sewer  system 
was  constructed  on  the  east  side. 

The  Graves  Public  Library  previously  privately  operated  by  the 
Mendota  Library  Association  was  transferred  to  the  City  of  Mendota 
and  an  ordinance  accepting  the  same  and  providing  a  tax  for  its  mainte- 
nance was  passed  April  13,  1894.  It  was  a  frame  building  at  the  same 
location  as  the  present  library.  In  1904  Andrew  Carnegie  donated 
$10,000  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  the  present  library  building.  The 
building  cost  $12,000,  the  other  $2,000  coming  from  civic  funds. 

In  1919  the  first  motor  fire  truck  was  purchased  for  the  sum  of 
$8,250. 

At  the  city  election  in  the  year  1920  the  men's  and  women's  ballots 
were  kept  in  separate  boxes. 

Since  the  city  form  of  government  was  adopted  in  the  year  1867 
it  has  remained  basically  the  same.  Amendments  to  the  Cities  and 
Villages  Act  adopted  by  the  legislature  through  the  years  have  resulted 
in  there  being  only  two  aldermen  from  each  ward  instead  of  three. 
The  term  of  office  of  the  mayor  has  been  increased  from  two  to  four 
years.  The  elective  office  of  City  Marshal  was  abolished  and  in  its 
stead  we  have  a  Chief  of  Police  appointed  by  the  Mayor  with  the  ap- 
proval of  the  city  council. 

The  area  of  the  city  has  increased  by  the  platting  and  annexing 
of  various  subdivisions. 

City  facilities  have  been  greatly  improved  and  extended  for  several 
decades  with  the  chief  innovation  being  the  all  too  familiar  parking 
meters  which  appeared  on  the  scene  in  1947. 

Perhaps  the  most  classic  example  of  Local  government  in  action, 
however,  came  in  1902,  when  two  tubular  boilers  were  purchased  and 
the  council  authorized  construction  of  the  boiler  house  and  tall  smoke 
stack,  only  recently  torn  down. 

At  this  meeting  one  of  the  aldermen  suggested  that  "the  brick  of 
the  old  chimney  be  used  in  the  construction  of  the  new  one"  but  recom- 
mended "that  the  old  stack  be  left  standing  until  the  new  one  had  been 
completed."     Advanced  engineering,  perhaps? 


Presidents   of  Mendota   Town   Board   of   Trustees 


1855-1856 

J.  H.  Adams 

1861-1862 

Thomas  Witchcraft 

1856-1857 

George  W.  Johnson 

1862-1863 

G.  C.  Gale 

1857-1858 

James  Kenworthy 

1863-1864 

W.  Pearce 

1858-1859 

George  Wells 

1864-1865 

John  H.  Harris 

1859-1860 

D.  A.  Dodge 

1865-1866 

W.  T.  Black 

1860-1861 

George  Well? 

1866-1867 

J.  C.  Corbus 

54 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Mayors   of   the   City   of   Mendota 


1867-1868 

Boyd  Lowe 

1893-1897 

Charles  L.  Rogers 

1868-1871 

George  Emmerson 

1897-1905 

E.  S.  Browne 

1871-1873 

M.  A.  McKey 

1905-1909 

Newton  Imus 

1873-1875 

James  Hastings 

1909-1911 

J.  W.  Shepley 

1875-1876 

Lucien  B.  Crooker 

1911-1913 

Newton  Imus 

1876-1878 

M.  A.  McKey 

1913-1915 

Charles  L.  Rogers 

1878-1880 

James  Hastings 

1915-1917 

Ralph  Madden 

1880-1881 

E.  S.  Childs 

1917-1921 

R.  N.  Crawford 

1881-1882 

K.  Wormley 

1921-1927 

Ralph  Madden 

1882-1883 

F.  P.  Snyder 

1927-1933 

John  Rutishauser 

1883-1885 

Simeon  Lee 

1933-1936 

John  Faber  (died  in  office) 

1885-1887 

L.  S.  Seaman 

1936-1941 

Jacob  Spanier 

1887-1889 

J.  A.  Lamberton 

1941-1945 

L.  J.  Oester 

1889-1891 

Matthew  Wilson 

1945-1953 

Glen  Momeny 

1891-1893 

S.  G.  Dudgeon 

1953- 

Christ  T.  Troupis 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


55 


H 


ITCHING  POSTS 
TO  PARKING  METERS 


M 


endota,  during  one  hundred  years  earned  quite  a  reputation 
as  a  "Saturday  Night  Town."  Early  Saturday  afternoon  the  hordes 
came,  got  their  shopping  done  for  the  week,  loaded  the  goods  in  their 
buggies  and  wagons,  and  gathered  in  groups  on  the  sidewalks,  to  swap 
stories  of  times  and  conditions. 

Everything  from  the  state  of  the  crops  to  the  sins  of  the  adminis- 
tration in  Washington  got  a  good  going  over,  and  not  a  little  gossip 
was  slipped  into  the  conversations.  News  traveled  slowly,  and  before 
the  days  of  daily  newspapers,  radio  and  television,  each  event  had  to 
be  talked  over  pro  and  con.  .  .  .each  interesting  wisp  of  gossip 
lingered  over,  to  squeeze  out  the  last  juicy  tidbit  of  information. 

Saturday  nights  on  the  streets  of  Mendota  was  indeed  a  grand 
conclave  —  the  week's  social  event  —  with  friendships  renewed. 
Stores,  saloons,  barbershops  remained  open  late.  Men  got  spruced  up 
for  Sunday,  and  the  hair  was  thick  on  the  barbershop  floors  when 
the  last  locks  were  shorn  and  the  tonsorial  artists  wearily  swept  up 
before  they  trudged  home  to  their  beds. 

Yes,  Mendota  was  a  Saturday  night  town,  and  you  had  to  get  in 
town  early  to  find  a  hitching  post.  Though  Mendota  was  the  "hitching- 
postest"  town  you  could  find,  there  never  seemed  to  be  enough. 
Visitors  stayed  longer,  for  those  were  leisurely  days.  There  is  no 
record  that  anybody  ever  thought  of  hitching  meters.     This  bustling 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


57 


town  in  the  horse  and  buggy  era  foretold  the  parking  troubles  of  the 
40's  and  50's  of  this  century. 

There  was  a  horse  thief  shooting  affair  near  Paw  Paw  Grove  in 
the  fall  of  1863. 

Dr.  Caldwell,  horse  tamer,  was  busy  teaching  horse  breaking 
methods  to  a  class  of  50.  The  subjects  used  were  an  unbroken  three- 
year-old  colt  belonging  to  Philo  Castle  and  an  old  mare  belonging  to 
Mr.  Camerer  of  Troy  Grove. 

The  same  year  the  press  announced  the  purchase  in  the  East 
of  a  Morgan  horse  by  R.  N.  Woods  Esq.  of  Malugin's  Grove. 

In  1868  someone  counted  96  teams  on  the  streets,  12  at  one  time 
all  loaded  with  "porkers". 


THE  HORSEY  SET 

Mendota  alleys  were  laid  out  so  that  there  were,  in  the  older 
plats  in  the  town,  wider  alleys  in  the  center  of  the  block  so  that 
carriages  could  properly  turn  around.  Fine,  haughty  stables  and 
carriage  houses  stood  along  the  alleys  in  all  sections  of  the  city. 
Feeding,  watering,  and  grooming  the  horses  was  a  daily  chore  in 
those  magnificent,  leisurely  days.  Vegetable  and  flower  gardens  grew 
lusher,  more  bountifully,  because  there  was  an  abundance  of  manure. 

The  farmers  not  only  had  their  wagons  and  their  every-day 
buggies,  but  most  of  them  went  in  for  fancy  horseflesh.  Along  with 
this  went  a  classy  carriage  and  a  pair  of  high  steppers,  beautifully 
groomed   and  harnessed   for  any  proper   occasion. 

Folks  living  in  the  town,  too,  had  their  horses  and  buggies  and 
carriages.  The  kind  of  a  horse  you  drove  and  the  kind  of  a  carriage 
you  kept  established  your  social  position. 

Noted  among  the  "fancy"  driving  horses  of  this  era  was  a  mare 
owned  and  driven  by  George  Madden,  who  ran  the  Germania  Bank. 
His  mare  was  known  as  "Lily". 

Max  Freedman  is  remembered  for  his  beautiful  driving  horses. 
One  such  proud  animal  was  "Plotta,"  registered  with  the  American 
Trotting  Register,  along  about  1910.  When  Plotta  got  old,  Mr. 
Freedman  sold  her  to  William  B.  Ward  for  $50  and  the  promise  of 
a  good  home  for  her.  Plotta  raised  three  colts.  Two  of  these, 
Freeda  Bell  and  Teddy,  were  proudly  owned  by  Adam  Sibigtroth  and 
Edward  Zorn.  The  third  colt,  Max,  was  an  outlaw.  It  is  said  that 
even  Elvis  Earle,  an  experienced  trainer,  could  not  break  him  and 
finally  acknowledged  defeat. 


58  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Each  winter,  of  course,  saw  a  splendid  collection  of  sleighs, 
cutters  and  bobsleds,  replete  with  bells  and  great  buffalo  robes  to 
keep  the  occupants  warm.  There  was  a  sleigh  race  in  January,  1877, 
according  to  a  newspaper  account,  starting  at  Thirteenth  avenue  and 
run  down  Sixth  street.  Participants  were  Belknap,  Kuney,  Lawrie, 
Clint  Shedd,  Davis  and  Newport.  Davis'  horse  overtook  Newport's, 
whose  horse  joined  in  along  the  ditch. 

Humans  and  horses  had  to  be  watered,  naturally,  and  there  were 
wooden  pumps  with  tin-cups  and  convenient  watering  troughs.  These 
were  located  near  the  city  clerk's  office;  at  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  Illinois  near  the  present  candy  kitchen;  another  near  the  post- 
office.  There  was  one  south  of  the  Faber  Hotel  and  another  across 
from  the  present  Gamble  store  at  Jefferson  and  Illinois.  Also  an 
attempt  at  an  artesian  well  at  Sixth  street  and  the  railroad.  The  last 
of  the  equine  spas  to  be  removed  was  the  iron  tank  in  front  of  the 
city  clerk's  office,  which  was  taken  away  only  a  few  years  ago. 

There  were  horse  fairs  and  horse  shows  in  the  city  as  early  as 
1869.  Accounts  of  the  time  state  they  were  held  at  the  fairgrounds, 
although  this  must  have  been  a  temporary  race  track  because  not 
until  1871  was  an  effort  made  to  organize  a  permanent  fairground 
and  race  course.  A  Mendota  driving  park  association  was  formed 
in  1874. 

Horse  raffles  were  an  exciting  interlude  of  the  times.  There  was 
a  raffle  of  a  Universalist  blooded  horse  —  whatever  that  is.  Dr. 
Corbus  was  the  lucky  winner  of  the  animal,   a  news  report  stated. 

Life  was  not  without  its  little  calamities.  A  news  item  of  the 
period  relates  that  Parks,  the  drayman,  drove  off  the  side  of  the  Sixth 
street  bridge.  A  flood  had  washed  out  the  dirt  on  the  side  and  end 
of  the  bridge,  leaving  a  crust  of  earth  over  the  top  and  a  cavity  under- 
neath. The  horse  broke  through  the  crust  and  went  down.  With 
the  help  of  several  men  with  ropes  the  horse  was  extricated  from 
his  perilous  position  without  any  serious  injury. 


THE  VELOCIPEDE   FAD 

By  1870  velocipedes  were  all  the  rage.  There  was  a  velocipede 
exhibition  on  the  street  which  created  considerable  excitement.  Said 
the  news  item:  "We  hear  of  portly  merchants  endeavoring  to  propel 
the  machine  but  failing  on  account  of  the  shortness  of  their  legs." 

The  velocipede,  doubtless  the  high  wheel  variety,  brought  problems, 
because   they   were   being   classed    as    a    nuisance,    particularly   when 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


59 


ridden  on  the  sidewalks.  The  village  council  in  June,  1869,  moved 
to  arrest  all  persons  running  velocipedes  on  sidewalks.  This  problem 
persisted  through  the  years  until  modern  paving,  at  long  last,  gave 
the  cyclists  a  firm  footing. 

Sidewalks  being  built  on  stilts,  there  was  a  low  place  on  Sixth 
street  back  of  the  present  Montagnoli  grocery,  formerly  the  Roth  and 
Elsesser  store.  For  about  a  half  a  block  at  this  point  horses  were 
driven  under  the  sidewalk  and  there  hitched.  This  made  a  convenient 
shelter  from  sun  and  rain. 


THERE'S  A  HITCH  IN  IT 

It  was  against  the  rules  to  hitch  horses  to  the  light  company's 
poles.  The  horses  chewed  up  the  wood.  But  frequently  this  was 
ignored.  One  such  belligerent  returned  to  find  his  horse  had  been 
chained  and  locked  to  the  pole.  Undaunted,  so  the  story  goes,  the 
irate  farmer  got  a  pair  of  chain-snipping  shears  at  the  Transfer 
Company  and  released  his  steed.  He  was  hopping  mad,  and  fortunately 
the  light  company  manager  was  out  of  town  or  the  story  might  not 
have  ended  there. 

Hitching  space  being  a  problem,  many  farmers  had  hitching 
contracts  with  downtown  livery  stables.  The  fee  at  one  time  was 
10  cents.  In  The  Reporter  in  May,  1905,  Mendota's  feed  yards 
carried  a  notice  that  the  fee  would  be  25  cents  per  hitch.  Prices 
were  rising,  even  then.  The  message,  signed  by  August  Meisenbach, 
S.  F.  Gray,  and  J.  A.  Tapper,  said  that  furthermore  there  would  be 
an  additional  25  cent  charge  for  all  rigs  remaining  after  10  o'clock. 
Apparently  some  visitors  never  wanted  to  go  home.  "Hurry  over 
and  put  another  quarter  in  the  hitching  meter,  Zeke,  our  time  runs 
out  at  10  o'clock." 

The  city  abounded  with  livery  stables,  where  horses  could  be 
rented  by  the  day,  week,  or  hour,  and  where  steeds  were  boarded. 
Visiting  drummers  would  get  off  the  Burlington  or  I.  C.  and  hire  a 
carriage  to  make  their  trips  to  country  stores  and  hamlets  not  acces- 
sible by  rail.  Those  who  could  not  afford  a  driving  mare  or  saddle 
horse  would  rent  horses  for  trips  to  nearby  communities.  .  .  .or  just 
for  fun.  .  .  .and  many  a  young  Mendota  swain  courted  his  best  girl 
in  a  rig  rented  from  a  local  livery  stable. 

So  far  as  can  be  determined,  the  first  livery  stable  was  opened 
in  Mendota  in  1857,  operated  by  Gabriel  Pohl.  Another  early  livery 
and   boarding  stable  was   that   of  Pulver   and   Clark.     Peter   Pulver 


60 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


married  the  oldest  sister  of  the  father  of  Claude  and  Bertha  Radley. 
The  partner,  Clinton  Clark,  married  the  youngest  sister.  Parker  went 
about  among  the  farmers  of  the  area  buying  heavy  draft  horses  for 
eastern  markets.  The  horses  were  delivered  to  the  Pulver  and  Clark 
stable  and  then  shipped  by  the  carload,  usually  to  Boston.  Some 
of  them  were  shipped  overseas. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  early  livery  stables  was  the 
Meisenbach  Stables,  located  on  Illinois  street  where  the  Conkey 
factory  formerly  stood  and  now  occupied  by  Brown's  Feed  Store. 

Another  well-known  livery  stable  was  known  as  Hackett's,  located 
in  a  long  barn  extending  from  Illinois  avenue  to  the  creek,  along 
Jefferson  street. 

The  block  extending  from  the  present  Central  Oil  company  to 
Widmer's  garage  was  a  fabulous  area  in  those  days.  It  contained 
Hackett's,  Peter  Sunday's  carriage  shop,  Herman  Miller's  blacksmith 
shop,  a  saloon,  and  the  Bauer  and  Bilhorn  feed  yard. 


"WHAT  AM  I  OFFERED?" 

Horse  sales  were  held  every  other  Saturday,  and  in  the  period 
from  the  late  80's  to  at  least  1910  this  block  was  busy  with  horses, 
sellers,  and  buyers.  Buyers  would  jog  the  horses  up  and  down  the 
street  to  "wind"  them;  that  is,  to  test  their  soundness  before  bidding 
on  them. 

Buyers  would  intercept  farmers  with  horses  for  sale  as  far  away 
as  13th  avenue  and  make  a  private  bid.  If  the  animal  was  not  bought, 
other  buyers,  a  few  blocks  hearer  town,  would  make  other  bids.  These 
later  bidders  were  thought  to  be  in  collusion  with  those  stationed 
farther  out,  attempting  a  series  of  stepped-up  offers,  each  slightly  more 
attractive  than  the  former. 

On  sales  day,  it  is  reported,  good  housewives  kept  their  doors 

locked.     Whether  this  was  from  fear  of  the  visiting  buyers  or  fear  of 

gypsies,  who  seemed  to  concentrate  here  on  sales  days,  is  not  definitely 

known. 

♦         ♦         » 

Harry  Boslough  had  another  livery  stable  situated  just  east  of  the 
Mendota  Trouser  Company,  and  Jim  Mahar  operated  one  on  Sixth 
street  south  from  the  Tower  factory.  It  burned  down  about  1910. 
Bill  Bauer  and  John  Bilhorn  ran  a  feed  yard,  located  on  the  site  of 
the  present  Buick  garage  at  Illinois  and  Monroe. 

But  the  August  Meisenbach  stable  was  probably  the  most  sump- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


61 


tuous  of  them  all,  with  a  long  wide  drive-through  .  .  .  fine  carriages 
and  gentle-mannered  driving  horses. 

Horses  needed  to  be  shod  and  carriages  were  always  needing  new 
rims,  felloes,  or  shafts.  Blacksmithing  and  carriage  repairing  comprised 
a  thriving  industry.  Livery  stables  had  their  blacksmiths  in  attendance. 
Walter  Boettcher  was  one  of  the  best  known  of  the  local  smithies,  having 
his  establishment  back  of  what  was  then  Fred  Oester's  implement 
shop,  near  the  site  of  the  present  State  Theatre. 

Not  only  was  the  smithy  a  mighty  man,  but  he  was  in  his  way 
a  center  of  topical  discussions  of  the  day.  He  was  an  oracle,  of  a  type. 
Between  pumping  the  bellows  to  his  forge  and  wiping  the  perspiration 
from  his  brow,  he  held  forth  in  conversation  on  weighty  topics,  with 
an  eager  claque  of  visitors  who  dropped  in  for  a  morning  or  an  after- 
noon. In  his  denim  shirt  with  sleeves  cut  off,  and  heavy  leather  apron, 
he  "burned"  shoes  into  place  on  the  hoof  and  banged  away  at  his  anvil. 
He  seldom  stopped  working.  He  was  paid,  apparently,  by  the  job 
and  not  by  the  hour. 

Herman  Miller  had  such  a  blacksmith  shop  north  of  Hackett's 
livery  stable.  He  excelled,  among  other  things,  in  clipping  horses,  at 
$1.50  per  head. 

Joe  Howarth  also  had  a  blacksmith  shop  and  shoeing  establish- 
ment on  the  corner  of  the  lot  where  the  Kroger  store  now  stands. 

J.  P.  Frey  was  still  horse-shoeing  in  1913. 

An  entrance  from  Illinois  avenue  led  down  to  a  blacksmith  shop 
under  the  present  A  and  P  store,  operated  by  one  Dobbie. 

A  pleasant  duty  for  bystanders  or  curious  boys  was  that  of  shooing 
off  the  flies  with  an  macabre  contrivance  made  of  a  horses'  tail  secured 
to  a  stubby  broom  handle. 

Most  smithies  of  the  day  in  Mendota  had  a  choice  vocabulary  of 
invective  and  cuss-words,  especially  for  the  horse  that  did  not  docilely 
submit  to  his  ministrations. 


WHATS   UP,   DOC? 

The  large  horse  population,  too,  along  with  farm  animals  of  all 
kinds,  necessitated  a  busy  group  of  veterinarians.  In  those  days  the 
vets  had  little  time  for  dogs  and  household  pets  —  they  were  needed  to 
keep  draft  animals  on  the  farms  and  driving  horses  from  going  lame 
and  halt. 

The  Matt  Biers  horse  barns,  located  on  Third  Avenue,  were  the 
center  of  a  glorious  and  thriving  business  in  those  days.     Spick  and 


62 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


span,  with  screens  at  every  door  and  window,  and  painted  a  pure 
white  with  snappy  green  trim,  the  Biers  horse  establishment  was  known 
far  and  wide.  Buyers  came  from  great  distances  to  attend  horse  sales, 
and  to  buy  saddle  or  harness  horses,  or  percherons,  for  their  stables. 
It  is  said  that  nearly  every  sale  saw  buyers  from  points  as  distant  as 
New  York  City  —  so  famous  was  the  Biers  establishment. 

To  the  east  of  the  Biers  barns  was  a  fancy  riding  and  exercising 
ring,  kept  up  in  those  days  m  sumptuous  style.  One  barn  was  for 
saddle  and  riding  horses;  another  for  draft  animals.  Sales  were  held 
fortnightly,  with  200  to  300  horses  sold  each  sale  and  shipped  out  in 
carloads. 

Mr.  Biers  was  in  demand  as  a  judge  at  the  International  in  Chicago 
and  Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York. 


IT'S  ALL  IN  THE  BREEDING 

There  were  many  other  breeders  of  driving  and  draft  horses.  It 
was  not  an  unusual  sight  to  see  a  dozen  big,  fancy  stallions  —  Belgians, 
Percherons,  or  Clydesdales  —  stepping  down  Mendota  streets  led  by 
a  groom  who  was  as  proud  as  a  peacock. 

One  such  breeder  was  Alderman  Ganz.  We  know  little  of  his 
stud  horse  activities,  but  the  story  has  come  down  about  his  sagacity  as 
an  alderman.  He  said  little  during  heated  city  council  discussions, 
but  always  came  up  with  a  motion  when  he  thought  the  problem  had 
been  debated  sufficiently. 

On  one  occasion,  it  is  said,  he  moved  that  the  fire  whistle  go 
"toot,  toot"  instead  of  "teet,  teet."  In  other  words,  he  thought  it 
should  be  louder. 

Clara  Goodwin  relates  that  in  those  days  each  beau  drove  a  horse 
(probably  dad's)  and  each  horse  was  usually  blind  in  one  eye,  not 
bad  lookers  at  all,  and  could  they  go!  The  highlight  of  the  week  was 
usually  a  Sunday  afternoon  drive  to  La  Moille,  nine  miles  away.  "Here 
the  horses  were  tied,"  she  relates,  "in  the  shade,  while  we  meandered 
over  to  the  cemetery  on  the  edge  of  town  and  spent  the  time  reading 
epitaphs.  We  would  then  have  supper  at  the  Fagan  hotel,  and  after- 
wards attend  church.  Ten  o'clock  was  the  deadline  for  getting  home, 
and  we  usually  made  it  on  time." 

Miss  Goodwin  adds,  sagely,  that  today  ten  o'clock  is  usually  the 
time  for  going  out. 

Another  phenomenon  of  the  olden  days  were  the  wandering  gypsy 
tribes,  nomads  of  the  road,  who  traveled  in  caravans  of  gaudily  deco- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


63 


rated  carts  and  wagons.  Children  ran,  and  merchants  winced  as 
swarms  of  colorfully  costumed  gypsy  women  with  their  full  and  billowy 
skirts  swarmed  into  their  stores.  While  they  were  wrapping  packages 
for  those  who  made  purchases,  vast  amounts  of  goods  disappeared,  it 
is  suspected,  under  the  folds  of  the  skirts  of  the  others. 

The  north  and  south  road  a  mile  west  of  town  was  "gypsy  lane." 
Police  Chief  Charley  Beckett,  with  his  big  ten-gallon  hat,  shooed  them 
out  of  town  as  soon  as  he  could  round  them  up.  The  gypsy  caravans 
camped  out  on  this  road,  which  was  protected  on  both  sides  with  huge 
osage  hedgerows,  a  natural  protection  and  cover  for  these  forerunners 
of  today's  all-aluminum  house  trailers. 


RUNNIN'  WILD 

There  were,  of  course,  frequent  run-aways.  This  was  always  an 
exciting  interlude  in  the  even-moving  times,  and  a  subject  of  much 
heroic  bravery,  especially  when  a  woman  was  at  the  reins.  True 
gallants  lived  in  those  days !  Accidents,  too,  as  a  result  of  being  bitten 
or  kicked  by  a  recalcitrant  nag  or  frisky  young  colt. 

A  newspaper  account  like  the  following  in  June,  1868,  was  typical 
of  any  normal  week:  "Saturday  was  a  day  of  runaways.  None  of  the 
horses  were  hurt,  but  the  wagons  fared  badly." 

One  such  runaway  which  was  noted  in  December,  1901,  recounted 
that  while  Mrs.  E.  G.  Mclntire  and  Mrs.  J.  E.  Caswell  were  driving 
home  from  a  meeting  of  the  "Friends  in  Council"  at  the  Wylie  resi- 
dence, at  dusk,  the  horse,  through  some  trouble  with  the  reins,  be- 
came unmanageable  and  ran  away  towards  home.  At  the  bridge  near 
the  old  north  school  house  (Guiles  avenue  and  16th  street)  both  ladies 
were  thrown  from  the  buggy.  Mrs.  Mclntire  received  painful  injuries. 
Mrs.  Caswell  was  more  shocked  than  hurt.  The  horse  was  found  in 
the  barn  at  home,  minus  part  of  the  rig. 

Nothing  has  come  down  to  us  regarding  the  skill,  or  lack  of  it,  of 
women  drivers. 

Other  runaways  reported  in  1912  involved  a  team  of  John  Wood's, 
which  raced  east  on  Washington  street,  south  on  Main  to  Fifth  street, 
where  the  team  turned  east  and  hit  a  tree.  The  same  week  George 
Kohl  was  thrown  from  a  buggy  when  his  horse  took  fright  near  the 
Sixth  street  crossing,  spilling  and  injuring  Mr.  Kohl  in  front  of  the 


64 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


police  station.     The  horse  broke  from  the  buggy  and  was  afterwards 
caught. 


PONY  BOY 

In  the  early  days  many  Mendota  boys  owned  genuine  Indian 
ponies.  They  rode  them  bareback,  though  the  older  boys  had  old 
Civil  war  saddles  bought  for  $2.  Lee  Scott,  a  former  Mendota  boy, 
relates  that  his  ambition  was  to  have  an  English  hog-skin  saddle. 
His  father  promised  one  when  the  boy  should  learn  to  milk  the  cow. 
The  bargain  was  kept. 

Shetland  ponies,  too,  were  a  favorite  animal  in  the  horsey  days. 
A  well-behaved  youngster  in  a  family  with  sufficient  means,  and  most 
farm  youngsters,  had  their  ponies,  which  they  rode  jauntily  bareback, 
or  hitched  to  a  little  two-wheel  wicker  cart. 

Back  in  1900  a  newspaper  relates  that  C.  Austin  bought  a  Shet- 
land pony  from  a  party  in  Franklin  Grove.  The  colt  tipped  the  beam 
at  only  60  pounds,  even  though  nearly  a  year  old.  This  pony,  named 
"Star  Pointer,"  was  to  be  teamed  with  another  by  the  name  of  "Cy" 
purchased  previously,  and  when  broken,  was  prophesied  to  be  the 
smallest  team  in  the  state. 

Some  horse  fanciers  used  the  city  streets  for  the  exhibition  or 
training  of  stallions.  This  became  a  nuisance  and  moreover  endangered 
lives.  An  ordinance  was  passed,  therefore,  April  4,  1887,  making  it 
unlawful  for  stallions  to  be  trained  or  exhibited  upon  Washington 
street  east  of  the  city  hall,  or  upon  Illinois  street  south  of  Jefferson 
street,  or  upon  Jefferson  street  east  of  Illinois,  or  upon  Main  street 
between  Fifth  and  Eighth  streets.  The  penalty  was  a  fine  not  to  exceed 
$100. 

In  those  days  George  Roth  drove  a  horse-drawn  bus,  and  a  favorite 
trip  was  to  Starved  Rock  for  a  day's  outing.  Four  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing was  the  usual  starting  time.  When  the  bus  and  its  passengers 
reached  the  hills  around  Utica,  George  would  yell  "everybody  out 
and  help  push,"  and  that's  just  what  they  did. 

Another  familiar  sight  was  that  of  Tommy  McGrath  and  his 
sprinkling  wagon.  Tommy  was  short  and  stubby,  and  his  short  legs 
scarcely  could  reach  the  pedals  that  controlled  the  water  flow.  But 
on  that  water  wagon,  Tom  was  king. 

When  the  Frank  Reiter  harness  shop  finally  closed  up  in  the  late 
20's,  it  signalled  the  final  mastery  of  the  automobile.  But  in  the  years 
prior,  many  harness-makers  were  kept  busy,   including  Nick   Reiter, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


65 


John  Bowes,  and  John  Eckarl.  Peter  Kreis  was  another  harness-maker, 
prominent  about  1858  to  1875,  and  later  Emil  and  Henry  Kreis  who 
had  a  shop  where  the  Barr  shoe  store  is  now  located. 

Another  thriving  harness  shop  was  that  of  Crandall  and  Ladd, 
selling  blankets,  robes,  and  whips  in  addition  to  saddles  and  harness. 
This  firm  was  taken  over  in  1903  by  E.  J.  Staten  and  George  E. 
Blanchard  and  the  stock  closed  out. 

In  this  beautiful,  wonderful  world  of  horseflesh,  there  were 
sinister  influences  at  work.  Horse  thieving  was  a  common  problem  to 
law  enforcement  officers.  Horse  thieves,  estimated  "to  be  in  the  hun- 
dreds," were  suspected  to  have  collected  around  the  vicinity  of  Mendota, 
according  to  the  July  11,  1860,  issue  of  the  Mendota  newspaper.  An 
account  states  that  James  Boyle  had  two  bay  mares  taken  from  him. 
After  extensive  searching  and  with  the  help  of  friends  the  thief  was 
apprehended  in  Oregon,  Illinois,  and  one  of  the  horses  located.  The 
thief  was  a  native  Mendotan,  one  Nick  Peterson.  He  was  bounced 
into  the  Oregon  jail  to  serve  his  sentence. 

George  Otterbach  was  a  great  lover  of  horses  and  had  some  fine 
ones.  One  team  was  stolen  the  exact  day  he  had  a  date  with  a  girl 
in  Troy  Grove. 

Horse-lovers  of  the  period  had  an  uncanny  memory  for  the  mark- 
ings of  teams,  and  could  recognize  them  like  we  recognize  people. 
George  Otterbach  had  another  team  stolen.  Some  time  later,  a  Men- 
dotan riding  on  a  street  car  in  Chicago,  thought  he  recognized  George's 
stolen  team.  He  hopped  off  the  car,  made  sure  of  his  identification,  and 
by  reporting  the  incident  to  the  police  was  instrumental  in  regaining 
possession  of  the  team  and  the  arrest  of  the  culprits. 

Often,  however,  the  "stolen"  horses  turned  out  to  be  merely  cases 
of  estrayed  animals.  Later  they  were  often  found  wandering  loose 
and  brought  back  to  their  stalls.  Lost  and  strayed  animals  was  a  fre- 
quent source  of  want  ads  in  the  local  newspapers. 


FAST-STEPPERS 

Quite  a  number  of  Mendota  folks  owned  fast-stepping  trotters  and 
pacers.  There  were  many  unscheduled  races  on  wide  roads,  and  quite 
a  few  raced  at  fairs  as  a  hobby  or  a  business. 

The  fabulous  Burright  family  even  then  had  developed  knowing 
ways  with  trotting  horses  and  had  some  thoroughbreds  with  royal 
lineage  and  developed  a  big  reputation  both  on  the  track  and  with  their 
horses  in  breeding  activities. 


66 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


The  Otterbach  family  is  another  which  made  successful  history 
with  trotters  and  pacers.  As  late  as  1927,  Mr.  Geo.  Otterbach  had  a 
string  of  racers  and  an  important  victory  at  the  State  Fair  at  Spring- 
field  was  exciting  news  to  the  people  of  Mendota.  Not  a  few  bets  were 
placed  on  the  home-town  horseflesh  —  with,  we  suspect,  the  usual 
results:  "I'd  of  won  if  he  hadn't  broke  right  after  the  start  in  that 
third  heat." 

Mendota  was  an  important  link  in  the  Illinois  Valley  Racing  cir- 
cuit. George  Madden  was  secretary  and  later  president.  Mendota  al- 
ways succeeded  in  getting  choice  dates.  A  report  issued  in  1905 
stated  that  West  Chicago  and  Sandwich  quit  in  a  huff  because  the 
schedule  of  dates  offered  them  was  not  agreeable. 


H0R5E5 
WANTED! 

The  undersigned  will  be  at 
Mendota  every  Saturday,  for 
the    purpose    of    purchasing 

DRIVERS,    CHUNKS    X 
DRAFT  HORSES. 


Call  at  Fair  Grounds. 
Someone  always  there. 


& 


MENDOTA,  ILL. 


Seen  regularly  in  the  Mendota  press  back  in  1900  was  an  ad, 
offering  to  buy  horses.  Biers  and  Peterson  were  the  proprietors,  and 
they  were  seeking  drivers,  "chunks,"  and  draft  horses.  They  did 
business  at  the  fairgrounds. 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


67 


With  so  much  emphasis  on  horse-drawn  transportation,  it  is 
natural  that  carriage-building  would  be  a  thriving  trade  in  the  village. 
Implement  houses  handled  Bradley,  Studebaker,  DeKalb  and  other 
farm  wagons.  Sunday  and  Faber  had  an  establishment  where  the 
food  locker  plant  is  now  situated  on  Illinois  avenue,  handling  factory- 
made  buggies  and  carriages. 

The  first  carriage-maker  to  take  note  of  the  potentialities  of  the 
thriving  Mendota  was  one  James  Kenworthy,  who  came  to  the  village 
in  1854.    He  continued  to  make  carriages  for  a  period  of  22  years. 

A  famous  and  durable  Mendota  wagon  product  in  the  years 
before  the  turn  of  the  century  was  the  Donohue  and  Madden  farm 
wagon.  These  were  made  by  John  C.  Madden  and  Peter  Donohue  in 
their  foundry  and  factory  located  from  Main  to  Illinois  at  Monroe 
street.  A  predecessor  company  known  as  the  Eagle  Manufacturing 
Company  had  made  the  Jesse  Frey  gang  plow. 


CARRIAGE  ENTRANCE 

Probably  the  best-known  carriage  factory  was  that  known  first 
as  Scheidenhelm  and  Washburne,  with  a  blacksmith  shop  in  connection. 
This  firm  later  became  Scheidenhelm  and  Schaller,  and  then  Schaller 
and  Goebel,  located  in  what  is  now  the  west  half  of  the  present 
Mendota  Auto  Company,  Ford  dealers. 

This  firm  was  owned  and  operated  by  John  S.  Goebel  and  Veit 
C.  Schaller.  The  nameplates  carried  on  the  buggies  and  carriages, 
"Schaller  and  Goebel,  Mendota"  was  a  proud  trademark.  One  of  these 
carriages  is  to  be  exhibited  in  the  centennial  celebration  this  year, 
1953.  John  Goebel  started  at  50  cents  a  day  as  a  blacksmith's  helper. 
Carriages  were  assembled  and  painted,  varnished  and  striped.  Mr. 
Goebel  was  an  expert  striper,  and  an  artist  at  painting  those  flowers 
and  rosettes  on  the  sides  of  the  carriages.    This  was  about  1898. 

It  is  amusing  that  though  he  was  an  expert  carriage-maker,  and 
later  a  successful  Ford  automobile  dealer,  John  Goebel  lived  in  fear 
and  dread  of  both  driving  horses  and  automobiles.  Mr.  Goebel  special- 
ized in  buggies  and  left  Mr.  Schaller  to  nurse  along  the  auto  business. 
Mr.  Goebel  had  no  faith  in  the  automobile,  and  like  so  many  of  that 
day,  didn't  think  the  automobile  would  ever  make  good  and  he  pointed- 
ly said  so.    When  he  rode  with  others  he  held  on  like  a  tiger. 

John  Goebel  simply  wouldn't  have  enjoyed  this  modern  age  at 
all. 


68 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


The  firm  made  about  200  buggies  per  year,  including  beautiful 
phaetons  and  carriages  of  the  funeral  type. 

Later  an  addition  was  built  to  the  building,  over  the  Mendota 
creek,  enlarging  their  space. 

Mendota  Auto  Company  became  the  third  Ford  dealer  in  the  state 
of  Illinois,  and  today  they  are  the  21st  oldest  continuous  Ford  dealer 
in  the  entire  nation. 

The  first  cars  sold  were  the  famous  Model  T,  and  it  was  not  un- 
common to  sell  180  to  200  of  Henry's  famous  cars  in  a  single  year. 
Later  they  sold  Fordson  tractors. 

It  is  rumored  that  Henry  Ford  went  through  Mendota  at  one  time 
on  one  of  his  auto  treks  with  Harvey  Firestone  and  Thomas  Edison, 
but  this  has  not  been  confirmed. 

It  is  said  that  M.  J.  Elsesser  was  once  offered  the  chance  to  buy 
some  Ford  stock  in  those  early  days.  He  declined,  saying  it  was  just 
"one  of  those  schemes." 

But  belittle  the  horseless  carriage  as  they  might  and  call  it  just 
a  crazy  fad,  the  automobile  came  to  Mendota  in  its  relentless  way  and 
it  came  to  stay.  The  first  car  in  town  is  thought  to  have  been  driven 
by  George  Tower.  It  was  a  Sears,  of  the  "motor  buggy"  type  similar 
to  the  antique  Sears  now  owned  by  the  Widmer  Brothers. 

J.  R.  Woods,  president  of  the  National  Bank,  who  lived  in  La 
Moille,  had  an  early  Rambler  and  drove  it  daily  (when  it  did  not 
break  down)  between  his  home  in  La  Moille  and  his  bank  in  Mendota. 
William  Hoerner  was  another  who  had  one  of  these  early  2-cylinder 
Ramblers.    John  Ferguson  owned  an  Oldsmobile. 

John  Yost,  a  farm  implement  dealer,  and  two  other  Mendotans, 
each  bought  a  car  named  the  "Glide,"  about  1904.  Nick  Cummings 
owned  one,  and  the  Truckenbrod  Brothers,  Henry  and  Jake,  owned 
another.  This  car  was  made  by  the  Bartholemew  firm  in  Peoria,  which 
had  made  its  reputation,  of  all  things,  building  peanut  roasters.  In 
1904,  when  John  Yost  went  to  get  his  car  from  the  factory  in  Peoria  it 
took  a  day  and  a  half  to  get  it  back.  The  last  day  they  got  lost  right 
out  in  Clarion  township.  Finally  they  spotted  the  Sublette  church 
steeple  and  got  their  bearings. 


HIT  THE  ROAD 

Imperfect  construction  and  tortuous  roads  spelled  a  quick  doom 
to  a  car  of  the  early  1900's.  They  kept  their  Glides  two  years.  Tired 
of  making  repairs  and  fixing  tires,  they  bought  a  Rambler  with  solid 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


69 


rubber  tires.  This  was  in  1906.  The  next  year  John  Yost  bought  a 
Jackson  car. 

So  long  as  the  commerce  of  the  country  was  carried  on  by  horses 
and  by  railroads,  the  atrocious  and  muddy  roads  were  quite  acceptable. 
The  automobile  needed  a  sound  footing  underneath,  and  good  roads 
movements  began.  Editor  Otto  Kieselbach  in  his  Mendota  Reporter 
in  the  spring  of  1905  wrote  eloquently  about  a  "Good  Roads  Special" 
train  which  was  heading  for  the  Lewis  and  Clark  Exposition  in  Port- 
land, Oregon,  making  stops  all  along  the  route  to  promote  the  needs 
of  good  roads. 

This  good  roads  crusade  ended  in  failure  when  it  reach  Galesburg. 
Farmers  were  violently  opposed  to  good  roads.  Everywhere  the  men 
who  rode  the  special  were  accused  of  being  interesed  only  in  "rake- 
offs"  on  sale  of  machinery  and  road-building  equipment. 

Mr.  Kieselbach  editorialized  as  follows,  showing  an  uncanny  in- 
sight into  the  future:  "A  good  cause  cannot  lose  caste,  even  though  it 
might  be  represented  by  those  not  worthy  to  represent  it.  The  cause 
of  Good  Roads  in  this  country  will  march  on,  no  matter  whether." 


TRAILS  AND  PIKES 

Trails  and  pikes  there  were  plenty,  some  adorned  with  the  term 
"plank  roads,"  which  were  roads  kept  from  sinking  out  of  sight  by  an 
underlying  bed  of  logs  or  planks.  There  was  a  plank  road  connecting 
Dixon  and  Peru,  with  stage  stops  and  taverns  along  the  way  where 
horses  were  changed  and  where  travelers  found  food  and  lodging. 
Peak's  Tavern,  north  of  Peru,  was  one  famous  stopping  place.  The 
trail  ran  through  the  town  of  Homer,  now  Troy  Grove,  past  the 
Hepinstall  stone  house  and  thus  to  Mendota.  This  route  probably 
followed  an  old  Indian  trail,  for  the  Hepinstall  house,  now  torn  down, 
was  built  like  a  fort. 

The  so-called  "old  Chicago  road"  missed  Mendota,  running  from 
a  point  east  of  La  Moille  through  Clarion  township,  crossing  the  pres- 
ent Mendota-Dixon  highway  at  a  point  near  Henkel,  north  of  Mendota, 
and  thence  in  a  northeasterly  direction. 

The  first  good  roads  were  gravel,  and  any  rate  of  progress  faster 
than  25  miles  an  hour  was  "speeding."  The  papers  then,  as  now, 
carried  reports  of  smashups.  One  such  account  related  that  Ed. 
Kellien  and  Henry  Sibigtroth,  of  Ohio,  Illinois,  skidded  on  a  recently 
graded  road  four  miles  west  of  Mendota.     The  rate  of  speed  was  30 


70 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


miles  an  hour.  A  front  tire  ''exploded"  and  the  Ford  turned  over  in 
the  ditch,  pitching  occupants  through  the  windshield. 

Route  2  was  the  north  and  south  road  between  Mendota  and 
Peru.  The  present  U.  S.  highway  34  was  given  the  glorious  name  of 
"Cannonball"  route,  and  telephone  posts  carried  a  black  dot  on  a  round 
white  background. 

The  highway  department  scheduled  an  improvement  of  the  Cannon- 
ball  route  through  Mendota  which  would  parallel  the  Burlington 
railroad.  Some  bridges  were  even  built.  But  farmers  were  still 
dubious  about  good  roads,  particularly  when  this  involved  splitting 
up  their  fields.  As  a  result,  in  1925,  a  heated  series  of  protest  meet- 
ings was  held  in  Mendota  objecting  to  the  new  plans.  Legal  procedures 
held  up  the  work.  The  state,  impatient  at  the  delay,  finally  paved  the 
road  along  the  old  route.  This  is  the  reason  for  never-used  bridges  in 
pastures  and  a  tortuous  and  twisting  route  between  Mendota  and 
Somonauk  which  only  now,  in  1953,  shows  evidence  of  being  straight- 
ened out.  Mendota  stayed  in  the  mud  for  quite  a  few  years  due  to  this 
feud,  while  paving  went  in  from  Somonauk  eastward. 

Those  were  the  days  of  tourist  camps.  Tourists  pitched  their 
tents  and  cooked  their  meals.  Every  progressive  community  set  up 
tourist  camps  to  attract  auto  visitors.  Mendota  was  right  in  the  van 
of  this  movement,  and  in  1926  the  Mendota  Kiwanis  club  fitted  up  a 
tourist  camp  at  the  site  of  the  north  end  school,  at  the  corner  of  16th 
street  and  Guiles  avenue.  It  later  fell  into  disuse  when  tourists  showed 
a  hankering  for  clean  beds  and  the  comforts  of  tourist  homes  and 
hotels. 

The  first  ads  for  automobiles  were  beginning  to  appear  in  1907. 
The  Jackson  car,  sold  by  Tower  Brothers,  Yost,  and  Oester.  A  new 
20  to  24  horsepower  Jackson  (chain  drive)  could  be  bought  for  $1250, 
while  a  fancy  40  horsepower  shaft  drive  cost  $2500.  These  dealers 
also  offered  a  nifty  14  horsepower  runabout  for  only  $850.  Quite  a 
far  cry  from  today's  200  horsepower  gaints,  although  on  a  dollar  per 
pound  basis  today's  cars  are  cheaper  than  the  crude  pioneering  models 
of  those  days. 


"MY  FAREWELL  CAR" 

A  half  page  ad  appeared  to  promote  the  Buick.  It  was  handled 
by  the  Smith  car  agency  in  Earlville,  which  also  handled  the  Cadillac. 
Martin  Fahler  ran  the  Mendota  branch  starting  in  1907,  and  the  Fahler 
motor  company  continued  to  be  a  leading  auto  dealer  in  Mendota  until 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  71 


1935,  still  handling  Buicks,  until  the  franchise  passed  to  Alvin  Trucken- 
brod,  Gilbert  Truckenbrod  and  William  Widmer. 

A  complete  roster  of  Mendota  automobile  dealers  over  the  years 
would  require  a  chapter  by  itself.  Elmer  Maus  advertised  the  Reo 
in  1912  with  a  famous  ad  headed  "My  Farewell  Car,"  by  R.  E.  Olds, 
designer.  In  it  Mr.  Olds  claimed  this  was  the  ultimate  .  .  .  cars 
couldn't  ever  be  better.  Later  Mr.  Maus  sold  the  Overland  and  Willys- 
Overland  in  a  location  now  occupied  by  the  Sears  store.  At  one  period 
he  also  handled  the  Chalmers. 

W.  G.  Lauterbach  at  one  time  handled  Indian  motorcycles,  and 
P.  J.  Sondgeroth  handled  a  car  known  as  the   R.C.H.   "25". 

The  Hueter  garage  handled  the  Dodge  in  the  early  20's,  which 
later  was  operated  by  Roland  Truckenbrod  until  purchased  by  J.  C. 
Serup  in  1939,  who  took  on  the  Chevrolet  dealership. 

Mr.  Serup  gave  up  the  Chevrolet  franchise  shortly  after  World 
War  II  broke  out  in  1941,  and  in  1946  resumed  the  dealership  of 
Dodge  and  Plymouth,  constructing  a  new  garage  and  showroom  on  13th 
avenue  near  Washington. 

At  the  same  time  the  Chevrolet  dealership  was  taken  up  by  Ed. 
Lorack,  who  located  on  West  Washington  road. 

Richard  Stenger  handled  the  Chrysler  automobile  for  several  years 
about  1925  to  1928,  located  in  the  building  vacated  by  the  Conkey 
factory  after  their  fire,  formerly  the  Meisenbach  stables. 

In  1929  the  Prescott  Brothers  set  up  an  oil  station,  garage,  and 
auto  sales  establishment  at  13th  avenue  and  Washington,  a  business 
which  was  continuously  expanded  over  the  years.  They  have  been 
the  continuous  dealers  since  for  Chrysler  and  Plymouth. 

Back  in  1920  Roy  Yenerich  for  a  brief  period  was  agent  for  the 
Paige. 

Ed  Kopp  handled  the  Nash  car  in  the  period  about  1926  to  1930, 
operating  from  the  Meyers  garage  where  the  Purity  Ice  Cream  plant 
is  now  located,  on  Washington  street. 

Blotch  and  Gephard  handled  the  Columbia  Six  in  1920.  A.  J. 
Wolfe  was  the  Hudson-Essex  dealer  in  the  late  20's,  and  the  Gus 
Spitz  garage  was  distributor  for  the  Erskine,  built  by  Studebaker. 

The  Pontiac  car  was  at  one  time  handled  by  the  Fahler,  and  later 
Truckenbrod  garage,  and  after  the  war  the  dealership  was  taken  up 
by  Harry  Schimmer. 

Ray  Possley  was  for  several  years  the  Packard  dealer,  and  Jones 
72  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


Motor  Sales  are  the  Studebaker  dealer.     In  the  post-war  period  Alvin 
Truckenbrod  represented  the  Kaiser-Frazier  cars. 

We  must  advance  to  the  year  1912  before  we  have  the  first  auto 
truck  in  Mendota.  This  was  purchased  by  the  Joseph  Schwarz  Com- 
pany (furniture  and  undertaking).  Frank  Schwarz  announced  that  he 
had  made  a  delivery  of  furniture  using  his  new  truck.  The  customer 
was  located  near  Arlington,  a  "right  fur  piece"  for  delivery  at  retail 
in  those  days. 


"HIT  AND   RUN" 

The  "hit  and  run"  terror  entered  into  the  duel  which  was  to  deter- 
mine whether  the  horse  or  the  motor  carriage  was  to  survive.  A 
reward  of  $25  was  offered  in  June,  1905,  for  the  arrest  of  the  "parties 
in  an  automobile"  which  left  Mendota  between  the  hours  of  12  noon 
and  1  p.m.  and  which  subsequently  upset  the  buggy  driven  by  Mrs. 
William  Coss,  near  the  Ferguson  farm.  The  hit  and  run  car  carried 
two  gentlemen  and  one  lady.  The  ad,  inserted  by  William  Coss,  the 
husband,  asked  that  information  be  sent  to  Marshal  Charles  Becket. 

Claude  Radley,  when  he  came  to  Mendota  as  manager  of  the 
Northern  Illinois  Telephone  Company  in  1907,  brought  with  him  a 
single  cylinder  Reo,  made  in  Michigan  by  Ransom  E.  Olds  who  had 
earlier  made  a  name  for  himself  by  designing  the  Oldsmobile.  This 
snappy  little  single  seater  chugged  and  shook  with  a  mighty  roar,  but 
it  got  places.  It  cranked  on  the  side.  Mr.  Radley  used  it  to  pull  a 
telephone  cable  through  a  manhole,  and  thus  early  proved  the  future 
potentialities  of  the  automobile  for  uses  other  than  pleasure. 

Ed.  Hempstead,  who  operated  a  glove  factory,  had  an  early 
model  Buick  car,  and  State  Senator  Corbus  Gardner  cut  a  fancy 
figure  in  a  Falcar.  It  was  a  racy  sports  roadster  type,  long  and 
sleek,  with  bucket  seats  on  the  back,  according  to  old  timers.  Mr. 
Gardner  also  owned  an  Argo  Electric.  Mrs.  Dan  Tower  also  drove  a 
quiet  Detroit  Electric  which  was  a  familiar  sight  on  the  streets  of 
Mendota.  Harvey  Scott  and  Mark  Crandall  also  drove  Electrics. 
The  electrics  drove  with  a  tiller  instead  of  a  steering  wheel,  and 
were  glass  enclosed  .  .  .  forerunner  of  the  later  sedan  models.  Mrs. 
E.  P.  Fassett  drove  an  Argo  electric,  one  with  a  steering  wheel  instead 
of  tiller. 

Claude  Radley  relates  that  he  charged  the  batteries  in  the  early 
days  with   battery   charging  equipment   at   the   telephone   office. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  73 


John  Moore,  who  worked  for  the  J.  D.  Tower  Company,  owned  a 
White  Steamer;  later  a  Michigan  (the  Mighty  Michigan)  and  still 
later  drove  a  Winton. 

Dad  Elwell  opened  one  of  the  first  garages  in  a  spot  where 
The  Reporter  office  is  now  located.  He  was  also  agent  for  the  Rambler 
automobile,  made  in  Kenosha,  Wisconsin,  later  known  as  the  Jefferey, 
and  today  the  Nash. 

Other  early  car  dealers  were  Lewis  and  Waldorf,  a  firm  comprised 
of  Earl  Lewis  and  Rufus  Waldorf,  located  where  Fitch  laundry  now  is. 
They  sold  the  Overland  automobile.  "We  put  in  elaborate  machinery 
and  lathes  for  repair  work,"  says  Earl  Lewis,  "but  there  just  weren't 
enough  cars  to  justify  it."  When  they  gave  up  the  dealership  it 
was  taken  over  by  Dad  Elwell. 


RESISTANCE  SETS  IN 

Not  all  the  worry  to  businessmen  has  been  aroused  as  a  result 
of  parking  meters.  When  the  paving  was  put  down  in  the  business 
streets  of  Mendota,  replacing  the  dirt-and-mud  streets,  you  would 
think  there  would  be  jubilation  all  around.  Such  was  not  the  case. 
Since  the  hitching  posts  and  rings  were  removed  when  the  paving 
was  put  in,  the  merchants  noticed  that  this  act  was  injuring  their 
business  because  many  farmers  were  not  coming  to  Mendota  to  shop. 

As  a  result  a  petition  was  circulated  by  Theo.  Fischer,  M.  Elsesser, 
and  Al  Greenbaum,  demanding  to  have  them  replaced.  This  petition 
was  generously  signed  by  businessmen  and  several  additional  petitions 
were  circulated  and  signed  by  farmers. 

During  the  controversy  several  pipe  hitching  posts  were  sawed 
off  during  the  night  and  found  prostrate  on  the  sidewalk  the  next 
morning.     Culprit  unknown. 

Early  motorists  relate  that  they  could  scarcely  negotiate  the  hill 
at  Bureau  Creek  on  the  Amboy  road.  Most  of  the  time  the  occupants 
had  to  get  out  and  push  to  help  get  'er  up  the  hill. 

Later  the  hill  just  east  of  the  present  Stenger  country  home,  near 
the  golf  course,  was  the  favorite  testing  hill  for  new  cars.  If  the 
car  could  make  the  hill  on  high,  the  feat  was  half  the  sale. 

Favorite  objectives  for  Sunday  drivers  were  Wedron,  Deer  Park, 
and  Starved  Rock. 

Those  were  the  days  of  real  comaradie  on  the  part  of  motorists. 
If  they  met  a  car  of  the  same  make  they  honked.     If  they  managed 


74 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


to  get  out  of  the  state  and  met  another  car  with  a  license  plate  from 
the  same  state,  they  tooted  their  bulb  horns  in  recognition.  Cars  were 
always  breaking  down,  springs  broke  due  to  the  bumpy  roads,  and 
no  motorist  dared  drive  out  of  the  city  unless  he  was  trained  in  the 
art  of  changing  tires  and  vulcanizing  patches  to  tubes  right  along 
the  roadside. 

All  sorts  of  new  inventions  came  on  the  market,  such  as  rear- 
engine  cars  and  cars  with  individual  spring  suspension.  Another 
crazy  invention  was  steering-post  shifting.  Only  in  the  last  few 
years  have  manufacturers  gotten  around  to  standardizing  such  daring 
innovations  in  the  sleek  modern  cars. 

For  rainy  weather  a  giant  rain  cape  was  offered  on  the  market. 
Occupants  of  the  car  drew  the  cape  over  their  laps  and  went  on  their 
way,  presumably  oblivious  to  the  weather.  The  clay  surface  roads 
of  the  day  were  treacherous,  and  a  sudden  rain  found  cars  slipping 
off  into  the  ditch,  there  to  be  retrieved  by  a  friendly  farmer's  team 
of  good  old  draft  horses. 

Not  all  farmers  were  friendly  to  the  new  horseless  carriages, 
however.  They  objected  to  their  noisy  and  smoky  journeys,  and  so 
did  their  horses.  Nothing  frightened  horses  so  much  as  coming  upon 
an  automobile.  They  reared,  shied,  and  often  launched  into  a  wild 
run-away. 

As  a  result  there  was  a  law  passed  which  required  a  motorist, 
upon  seeing  a  horse-driven  vehicle  approaching,  to  drive  his  car  behind 
a  bush  or  up  a  country  lane,  to  dismount  and  walk  up  to  the  horse  and 
lead  him  past  his  automobile,  and  not  to  start  until  the  horse  was 
safely  out  of  earshot.  Many  a  hostile  farmer,  it  is  said,  used  his 
whip  on  the  venturesome  motorist  instead  of  on  the  horse. 

In  the  early  years  a  motorist,  once  issued  a  license,  kept  that 
license  permanently.  Not  until  about  1912  were  annual  licenses 
issued.  Quite  a  number  of  Mendota  car  owners  had  extremely  low 
license  numbers,  attesting  that  local  motorists  were  early  in  taking 
to  the  new  method  of  transportation. 

For  many  years  there  was  a  local  wheel  tax  of  SI. 25  per  year 
per  vehicle.  This  money  was  used  for  the  upkeep  of  city  streets. 
Due  to  the  difficulty  of  policing  the  tax  and  the  new  revenues  from  the 
fuel  tax  refunds  from  the  state  earmarked  for  street  improvement,  the 
wheel  tax  was  abolished  several  years  ago. 

For  many  years  there  was  a  $10  annual  license  fee  imposed 
upon  those  operating  a  carriage,  dray,  or  omnibus  to  carry  passengers 
or  freight. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP  75 


A  story  is  told  of  Nick  Cummings  and  his  experiences  with  his 
1904  Glide.  Holland's  Hardware  was  a  favorite  hangout  of  the  times, 
where  visitors  sat  on  nail  kegs  around  the  stove  and  swapped  experi- 
ences. It  seems  that  Nick  Cummings,  before  he  bought  his  car,  would 
drive  up  to  Holland's  with  his  horse  and  rig,  to  join  his  pals.  When 
he  drove  up  to  the  curb  he  would  habitually  pull  on  the  reins  and 
yell  to  his  horse,  "Whoa,  you  So-and-So!" 

When  he  got  his  Glide  automobile  he  remained  a  victim  of  habit. 
He  drove  up  to  the  curb  in  front  of  the  store,  hit  the  curbing  with 
a  heavy  impact,  all  the  while  yelling  "Whoa,  you  So-and-So!" 


76 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


the  Gentlemen 
of  the  press 


he  year  1895  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  Mark  Ruggles  was 
restless.  Since  early  that  year  when  he  had  sold  his  newspaper,. 
The  Bulletin,  he  had  tired  of  riding  a  bicycle  around  the  streets  of 
Mendota  and  through  the  Alpine  trails  of  Switzerland. 

Not  only  was  he  restless.  He  was  broke.  Some  unfortunate 
"investments"  on  the  board  of  trade  had  wiped  him  out.  So  he 
borrowed  $1700  from  a  loyal  friend,  bought  a  few  cases  of  type  and  a 
hand-operated  Campbell  press,  and  set  up  a  new  newspaper  in  rooms 
on  the  second  floor  at  the  back  of  a  three  story  building  located  where 
the  National  Bank  of  Mendota  now  stands. 

Since  the  paper  was  to  stand  for  a  bright  new  day  in  Mendota 
journalism  he  called  it  The  Sun  —  "It  Shines  for  Everyone."  It  would 
take  at  least  $75,000  now  to  launch  a  similar  enterprise,  so  advanced 
is  the  equipment  of  printing  and  the  modern-day  requirements  of  a 
newspaper  that  is  to  serve  a  thriving  community. 

When  Mark  Ruggles  started  his  paper  it  brought  to  four  the 
number  of  papers  in  the  town  —  a  real  era  of  rivalry  in  local  news- 
paperdom.  Mr.  Ruggles  was  29  years  of  age,  a  natural-born  writer, 
and  a  business  booster,  always  working  for  improvements  in  Mendota. 

The  other  papers  were  The  Bulletin,  The  Reporter  and  The  Post 
which  was  printed  in  German.  Intense  newspaper  competition  that 
was  to  last  for  32  years  was  set  in  motion. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  77 


The  pioneer  newspaper  in  Mendota  was  The  Press,  and  its  first 
issue  was  dated  June  28,  1855.  C.  R.  Fisk  was  the  editor  and 
proprietor.  He  disposed  of  the  plant  to  the  Andrew  Brothers  who 
issued  the  paper  for  a  short  time  and  then  sold  it  to  a  Princeton  firm. 
In  1856  they  sold  the  paper  to  Col.  J.  R.  S.  Bond,  who  changed  the 
name  of  the  paper  to  The  Observer.  He  in  turn  sold  the  publication 
to  Crooker  and  Beck,  who  operated  it  for  a  year  and  a  half  and  then 
closed  the  office. 

G.  Pohl  started  The  Mendota  Democrat,  a  German  paper,  during 
the  late  50's,  but  gave  up  in  1859  and  sold  to  an  Ottawa  concern. 

Clearly,  at  that  date,  Mendota  was  not  much  of  a  newspaper  town. 

For  18  months  the  village  was  without  a  newspaper,  when  R.  H. 
Ruggles  purchased  the  plant  and  began  operation  in  March,  1863,  with 
still  another  change  in  name.  He  named  it  The  Mendota  Bulletin. 
Ruggles  and  Golliday  were  publishers. 

In  1869,  a  second  paper  was  established,  named  The  Chronicle, 
with  Snell  and  Merrill  as  publishers.  F.  D.  Ford  soon  afterwards 
purchased  Merrill's  interest  and  later  Snell's. 

The  Chronicle  courageously  stated  that  Mendota  was  populous 
enough  to  sustain  two  creditable  newspapers.  They  thought  differently 
by  the  next  year,  however,  for  The  Chronicle  and  The  Bulletin  com- 
bined, with  Ruggles  and  Ford  as  publishers,  and  Snell  retired  from 
publishing. 

Ford  and  Ruggles  split  up  and  in  1874  Ford  started  another 
newspaper,  The  Mendota  News,  which  had  a  brief  and  precarious 
existence.  The  paper  had  a  space  in  the  pavilion  of  the  newspaper 
exhibition  at  the  1876  Centennial  in  Philadelphia  before  it  folded, 
however. 

C.  R.  Fisk,  the  editor  of  Mendota's  first  newspaper,  returned 
during  the  early  Civil  War  period  and  launched  another  newspaper 
which  he  called  The  Mendota  Times. 


THE  EDITOR  AND  THE  HANGMAN'S  ROPE 

Though  a  Republican,  Mr.  Fisk  was  a  red-hot  secessionist  and 
favored  slavery.  He  said  in  his  paper  that  "Old  Abe  would  get  some 
blue  pills  he  could  not  digest"  and  called  the  soldier  boys  "Lincoln's 
hirelings."  One  night  when  the  populace  was  drumming  for  recruits 
a  company  marched  in  front  of  his  office,  called  him  out,  and  compelled 
him  to  make  a  speech.  This  was  not  an  ordinary  speech,  however,  for 
dangling  above  the  editor's  head  was  a  hangman's  rope.    The  onlookers 


78  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


ran  up  the  stars  and  stripes.  It  is  said  they  made  Editor  Fisk  kneel 
down,  kiss  the  American  flag,  and  pledge  allegiance  to  the  flag  and 
loyalty  to  the  government. 

In  June,  The  Times  folded  and  Editor  Fisk  departed  for  Henry, 
Illinois,  where  he  operated  a  copperhead  journal.  He  later  went  to 
Beardstown  and  later  to  Delavan  where,  while  editor  of  that  paper, 
he  died  in  1870. 


The  Bulletin,  under  the  editorship  of  R.  H.  Ruggles,  progressed 
favorably,  but  not  without  editorial  upheavals.  The  paper  carried  a 
notice  in  March  of  1866  that  "E.  M.  Mattison  Quits  Bulletin  and 
Ruggles  Returns."  Only  a  few  months  later,  in  July,  L.  B.  Crooker 
(who  may  have  been  the  Crooker  who  earlier  edited  The  Observer) 
quit  in  a  huff,  and  the  headlines  again  proclaimed  that  Ruggles  was 
in  sole  charge.  The  next  year  Ruggles  ran  the  job  department  but 
Bangs,  Owen  and  Ford  took  over  the  paper,  with  J.  P.  Snell  of  Aurora 
back  in  the  harness  again  as  editor. 

When  Mr.  Ruggles  died  in  1886  his  son,  Mark  Ruggles,  took 
charge.  He  was  only  20  years  old.  About  1892  he  employed  George 
Nisley,  who  set  type  and  wrote  articles.  During  Mr.  Ruggles'  frequent 
absences  from  town,  George  Nisley  took  over.  A  gas  engine  ran  the 
press.  The  office  was  located  in  the  quarters  now  occupied  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  office. 

Printers  came  and  went  and  most  of  them  were  unreliable.  About 
1899  Mr.  Nisley  ran  an  advertisement  for  a  "sober  printer."  None 
applied,  but  Will  Leiser's  mother  asked  concerning  the  job  for  her 
son  who  learned  his  trade  at  the  Reporter  office.  He  was  hired,  and 
thus  began  an  association  that  ran  for  45  years.  They  used  to  work 
until  the  early  hours  in  the  morning  getting  out  the  edition. 

The  old  Bulletin  was  bought  by  Adam  Kliyla,  who  traded  it  for 
an  elevator  in  Bureau  county.  A  man  named  Bates  bought  it,  and 
Otto  L.  Rice  served  as  editor.  Their  hearts  were  not  in  newspapering, 
however,  and  in  1896  they  sold  out  to  Mark  Ruggles  and  he  combined 
his  year-old  Sun  with  this  paper  and  named  it  The  Sun-Bulletin. 

There  was  a  picture  of  the  big  union  depot  in  Mendota  printed 
on  the  mast-head  of  the  paper  between  the  words  "The  Sun"  and 
"Bulletin."  Below  the  heading  he  carried  the  line:  "Truth  Crushed 
to  Earth  Will  Rise  Again." 


Meanwhile  two  other  papers  were  leading  a  vigorous  existence. 
One  of  these  was  The  Mendota  Post,  published  by  Otto  Kieselbach, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP  79 


printed  in  the  German  language.  It  was  printed  in  Aurora.  Mr. 
Kieselbach  was  also  editor  of  the  Mendota  Reporter,  which  had  been 
founded  in  1878  by  John  Sanford  and  G.  P.  Gardner.  Later  Mr. 
Seaman  and  Mr.  Kieselbach  purchased  it,  and  in  1883  Mr.  Kieselbach 
became  sole  owner. 

The  German  paper  ceased  publication  about  the  time  of  World 
War  I. 

Otto  Kieselbach  was  an  educated  and  talented  writer.  He  was 
born  in  Germany  in  1854  and  later  became  a  citizen  of  the  United 
States.  He  taught  German  at  Blackstone  school  in  Mendota,  and  later 
became  an  attorney  before  entering  the  newspaper  publishing  business. 

His  paper  was  democratic,  at  least  he  supported  the  Palmer  Sound 
Money  faction  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  was  named  an  elector  on 
the  ticket.    He  wrote  lucidly  and  freely  on  the  topics  of  the  day. 

The  Reporter  was  always  a  factor  in  the  newspaper  activity  in 
Mendota,  even  with  the  strong  competition  of  Mark  Ruggles'  Sun- 
Bulletin  which  had  by  this  time  moved  right  across  the  street  from 
The  Reporter,  on  Illinois  avenue,  to  the  second  floor  location  now 
occupied  by  Charles  Sonntag's  Shade  Shop. 

The  Reporter  was  sold  in  1915  to  Edgar  Koerper  and  Arthur 
Zolper,  two  employees  of  the  paper,  who  ran  it  until  1919. 


Meanwhile  the  health  of  Mark  Ruggles  began  to  break  down. 
He  died  May  1st,  1906,  in  Kankakee,  111.  The  proud  44-year-old  Sun- 
Bulletin,  with  William  H.  Leiser  and  George  W.  Nisley  as  its  managing 
stalwarts,  passed  to  Helen  Hungerford  Hallenberg.  Her  husband,  Robert 
Hallenberg,  took  over  as  publisher. 

Bob  Hallenberg,  formerly  a  Kentucky  lawyer,  was  a  polished 
speaker,  a  colorful  writer,  a  popular  mixer,  and  a  community  leader. 
He  was  one  of  those  who  helped  to  organize  the  Mendota  Elks  lodge. 
He  liked  to  take  trips  and  to  hunt  and  fish. 

In  1919  Nisley  and  Leiser  felt  that  the  time  had  come  to  own  their 
own  paper.  They  left  the  flourishing  Sun-Bulletin  and  their  $25-a-week 
jobs,  to  launch  out  by  purchasing  The  Reporter.  Failure  was  freely 
predicted,  but  this  did  not  daunt  the  two  new  publishers.  It  was  a 
perfect  combination.  Bill,  the  back  room  printer  and  businessman  — 
George,  the  writer,  persistent  solicitor  of  subscriptions  and  advertising, 
and  general  city  greeter.  It  has  often  been  said  that  during  the  53 
year  newspaper  span,  George  Nisley  was  a  One  Man  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 

Both  partners,  from  across  the  street,  burned  the  mid-night  oil. 


80  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


They  set  a  new  subscription  goal,  first  at  1000  new  readers,  then  1500, 
then  2,000.  In  a  few  years  they  had  The  Sun-Bulletin  on  the  run. 
While  they  gained,  The  Sun-Bulletin  lost.  They  put  out  a  big,  newsy 
paper.  Nisley  met  every  train,  and  nothing  happened  in  the  community 
that  didn't  merit  a  "piece  in  the  paper."  Their  600  subscriber  list 
grew  rapidly.  They  put  on  1,000  new  subscribers  in  ten  months'  time. 
Sounds  like  a  fairy  tale  but  it  is  the  gospel  truth. 

In  1920  The  Sun-Bulletin  was  sold  to  Irl  Marshall,  who  had 
several  newspapers  and  an  advertising  business  in  Chicago.  One  of 
his  energetic  editors  was  Clarence  Potter.  They  strove  to  build 
circulation,  put  on  two  automobile  prize  subscription  contests  in  three 
years. 

Five  years  was  enough,  and  Irl  Marshall  sold  to  John  H.  Millar, 
a  Chicagoan,  who  had  made  an  astounding  success  in  the  syndicated 
newspaper  feature  business.  It  was  one  of  a  chain,  in  the  days  when 
chains  were  unpopular.  Kenneth  B.  Butler  was  appointed  editor,  his 
first  job  out  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin  journalism  school.  Butler 
had  worked  on  several  newspapers.  A  farm  page  was  established, 
a  sports  page,  and  the  first  high  school  newspaper  in  the  local  paper 
(The  Hi-Light)  was  launched  in  1925  in  this  paper;  and  because  the 
school  authorities  wished  to  avoid  favoritism,  also  in  The  Reporter. 

All  the  steam  possible  was  put  behind  restoring  The  Sun-Bulletin 
to  its  old  success.  The  paper  launched  baby  contests,  engaged  in 
community  work,  carried  human  interest  stories,  sponsored  bowling 
sweepstakes  and  cross-country  runs.  Ken  Butler  left  in  September, 
1927,  to  purchase  a  weekly  paper  at  Constantine,  Michigan.  A  week 
later  John  Millar  capitulated.  He  walked  over  to  Nisley  and  Leiser 
and  sold  them  the  65-year-old  paper  —  lock,  stock  and  barrel. 

He  threw  a  big  banquet  for  the  new  owners,  and  admitted  the 
competition  had  been  too  tough.  The  final  issue  was  put  together 
by  Anna  Marie  Bromenschenkel  and  Helen  Hoerner.  William 
Wenninger,  who  had  served  on  the  high  school  paper,  later  edited  a 
paper  for  Mr.  Millar.  Irving  Easter,  a  favorite  Sun-Bulletin  assistant 
editor,  purchased  The  Free  Press  at  Sandwich. 


Mendota,  despite  its  apprehensions  in  September,  1927,  soon  saw 
that  a  one-newspaper  town  was  a  good  thing.  The  Reporter  continued 
to  report  the  news  thoroughly,  and  in  1930  built  a  fine  new  building 
and  added  modern  equipment.  Among  this  equipment  was  a  big  new 
Goss  Comet  press  which  turned  out  the  papers    faster    and    easier. 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP  81 


Hard  work  continued  to  be  the  watchword  of  the  owners.  Mean- 
time, Richard  Leiser  was  operating  the  linotype,  and  Billy  Leiser  carted 
papers  to  the  postoffice  on  publishing  day.    The  circulation  grew. 

William  H.  Leiser  died  from  a  heart  attack  in  1945,  and  Mr.  Nisley 
shortly  afterwards  sold  out  his  interest  to  the  Leiser  sons,  Dick  and 
Billy,  who  have  continued  the  paper's  coverage  and  growth,  and  have 
installed  additional  modern  equipment. 

Under  their  management  the  paper  has  been  a  leader  among 
weeklies  in  Illinois  in  picture  coverage,  and  a  machine  to  make  cuts 
was  installed.  As  always,  The  Reporter  is  active  in  community  welfare, 
giving  its  columns  freely  to  any  worth-while  civic  enterprise.  News 
coverage  is  energetic  and  complete.  The  paper  has  an  outstanding 
sports  page.  The  paper's  makeup  has  been  modernized  and  The 
Reporter  is  among  the  state's  outstanding  examples  of  weekly  journalism. 
The  paid  circulation  of  5,130  is  probably  the  largest  of  any  weekly  in 
Illinois. 

*         ♦         * 

The  years  between  have  not  been  without  their  amusing,  and 
sometimes  catastrophic,  situations.  Many  an  irate  subscriber  has 
cancelled  his  subscription  —  or  merchant  threatened  to  withdraw  his 
advertising.  In  the  early  days  of  automobiles,  many  a  motorist  involved 
in  an  accident  resented  having  it  written  up  in  the  paper. 

Then  there  was  the  time  that  the  type  stories  regarding  a  Sublette 
wedding  and  a  death  of  a  citizen  became  jumbled  and  the  account  ran 
something  like  this:  "The  lovely  bride  was  attired  in  a  walnut  casket, 
and  the  mourners  threw  the  bridal  bouquet  into  the  last  resting  place." 

Or  the  headline  that  has  become  famous: 

Woman  Fell  Off 
Back  Porch; 
But  Unhurt 

And  probably  the  most  durable  of  all: — 

Outhouse  Case 

Aired  in  Court 

82  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


LAMBEAUX 


erhaps  nothing  so  clearly  reflects  the  changes  in  modes  of 
communication  over  the  last  100  years  as  the  handling  of  political 
material  in  the  weekly  newspapers. 

Gone  are  the  days  when  the  country  newspapers  took  vigorous 
and  vitriolic  partisanship  in  every  election,  local  and  national.  Instead, 
with  most  small  cities  and  towns  limited  to  but  one  newspaper,  the 
editorial  chore  has  shifted  to  an  emphasis  on  non-partisan  Get  Out 
the  Vote  campaigns,  with  radio  commentators  and  big  city  newspapers 
conducting  the  battle  for  the  White  House  and  Capitol  Hill. 

The  clippings  which  follow  represent  Mendota's  newspaper  cover- 
age of  the  hottest  elections  of  the  last  century. 

From  the  Mendota  Observer,  October  24,  1860: 


Only  Two  Weeks  More 

Voters,  Are  You  Ready 

For  The  Question? 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         83 


REPUBLICAN  NOMINATIONS 


For  President 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN 

For  Vice  President 

HANNIBAL  HAMLIN 


Two  weeks  more  and  the  canvass 
closes.  —  The  opportunity  for 
choosing  the  next  administration 
will  then  be  presented.  Voters,  are 
you  ready  for  the  question?  Never 
since  the  organization  of  the  gov- 
ernment was  there  a  more  impor- 
tant contest!  Never  a  more  serious 
issue!  What  shall  be  the  status  of 
the  national  domain?  Shall  it  be 
Free  or  Slave?  This  is  the  real 
issue,  let  it  be  disguised  as  it  may. 
It  is  simply  the  extension  or  non- 
extension  of  slavery.  Simply  whether 
the  fertile  plains  of  our  national 
territories  shall  be  homes  for  those 
who  would  own  and  cultivate  the 
soil;  or  homes  for  hordes  of  slaves 
and  their  drivers.  Voters,  this 
question  is  to  be  decided  by  the 
ballot-box.  Will  you  vote  it  up  or 
vote  it  down?  Breckenridge  says 
vote  it  up.  Bell  says  nothing,  but 
is  understood  to  be  in  favor  of 
voting  it  up.  Douglas  says  he  don't 
care  whether  "vote  it  up  or  vote  it 
down",  while  Lincoln  and  Hamlin 
say    vote    it    down,    and    keep    the 


territories    free    for    your    children, 

as    our    fathers    kept    this    territory 

free  for  theirs. 

*         *  * 

This  was  the  doctrine  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence.  This 
was  the  doctrine  of  the  ordinance  of 
1887.  This  was  the  confirmed  doc- 
trine of  the  first  Congress  which 
met  after  the  adoption  of  the  Con- 
stitution. This  doctrine  was  en- 
dorsed by  Washington,  Jefferson, 
Madison,  Monroe,  Randolph,  Clay 
and  Webster  and  it  has  been  rec- 
ognized in  the  legislature  of  the 
country  for  more  than  seventy 
years.  Voters,  will  you  now  sur- 
render this  national  Birthright  for 
the  deceptive  and  mythical  doctrine 
of  Popular  Sovereignty?  A  doc- 
trine hatched  up  by  a  demagogue, 
for  the  express  purpose  of  betray- 
ing the  Territories  into  the  hands 
of  the  South?  If  not,  then  rally  at 
the  polls  on  Tuesday,  November  6th, 
and  cast  your  ballots  for  the  men 
who  hold  that  the  Territories  are 
free,  and  shall  be  kept  free. 


From  the  Mendota  Observer,  October  31,  1860: 


A  GREAT  DAY  FOR  MENDOTA! 


The  People  in  Council. 


Mendota  was  the  scene  on  Mon- 
day last  of  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful   and    enthusiastic    meetings 


of  the  campaign.  The  people  as- 
sembled by  thousands  to  hear  the 
eloquent   Hale,   whose   fame   as   an 


84 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


orator  is  known  throughout  the 
land. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  fea- 
tures of  the  occasion  was  the  pres- 
ence of  a  delegation  of  ladies  from 
LaMoille,  arrayed  in  the  national 
colors,  who  marched  in  procession 
day  and  evening  under  the  stars 
and  stripes  and  carrying  several 
banners. 

The  speaking  was  upon  a  stand 
erected  near  the  Baptist  church, 
at  which  the  immense  concourse 
assembled  about  2  o'clock.  They 
were  addressed  first  by  Hon.  John 
W.  North  of  Minnesota.  This 
gentleman  has  few  superiors  as  an 
orator  and  a  sound  politician.  His 
speech  was  short,  sensible  and  to 
the  point.  In  the  course  of  it  he 
gave  a  cheering  account  of  his  own 
State,  which  was  received  with 
much  applause.     Senator  Hale  fol- 


lowed in  his  usual  happy  and  elo- 
quent style,  but  as  an  exchange 
observes,  it  would  be  about  as  easy 
to  "daguerreotype  an  earthquake  or 
to  paint  thunder"  as  to  describe 
with  a  pen  the  electrifying  speech 
which  he  delivered.  The  immense 
throng  were  held  enchained  by  his 
eloquence  and  humor  until  the  sun 
had  begun  to  sink  behind  the  hori- 
zon. 

#  *  * 

There  was  a  lively  meeting  in  the 
evening  in  Music  Hall.  Speeches 
were  delivered  by  John  W.  North, 
Dr.  Adams  of  Amboy  (member  of 
the  State  Senate)  and  Levi  Kelsey 
of  this  place.  Much  enthusiasm 
was  manifested  and  at  a  late  hour 
at  night  the  meeting  adjourned  to 
meet  at  the  polls  on  Tuesday,  No- 
vember sixth,  to  vote  the  straight 
Republican  ticket. 


VOTERS!     TURN     OUT 

EVERY  MAN  TO  THE  POLLS  ON  TUESDAY  NEXT, 

WITHOUT  FAIL,  AND  VOTE  THE  REPUBLICAN 

TICKET!! 


LOOK  OUT  FOR  SPURIOUS 
VOTES 

We  again  would  caution  all  Repub- 
licans to  use  no  votes  except  those 
printed  under  the  direction  of  the 
Republican  party.  All  manner  of 
mongrel  tickets  will  be  in  circula- 
tion with  one  or  two  names  re- 
served in  order  if  possible  to  make 
some  encroachment  upon  our 
County  and  State  Officers.  Let 
Republicans  stand  like  a  rock 
against  all  attempts  of  our  arch 
enemies,  use  no  votes  except  those 
properly  vouched  for! 


TELEGRAPHIC 

We  have  made  arrangements  to 
secure  telegraphic  dispatches  on 
Wednesday,  November  7th  of  the 
result  of  the  election,  and  expect  to 
be  able  to  report  in  our  next  issue 
the  election  of  Lincoln  and  Hamlin, 
together  with  the  entire  general, 
State  and  County  Republican  ticket. 
Let  the  people  perform  their  part 
and  all  will  be  well.  To  the  polls 
then  every  man  of  you,  and  when 
there  vote  the  straight  out  Repub- 
lican ticket,  —  beware  of  mixed 
tickets. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


85 


From  The  Mendota  Observer,  Nov.  7,  1860: 

GLORIOUS     NEWS 


OLD     ABE     ELECTED 


Illinois  Redeemed  By  20,000  Majority 


Republicans!  The  hard  fought 
contest  is  over,  and  victory  is  ours. 
Most  nobly  have  you  done  your 
duty.  You  have  fought  the  good 
fight  and  have  borne  away  as 
TROPHIES  of  the  BATTLE,  the 
highest  offices  in  the  nation. 


The  enemies  of  the  Union  are 
defeated  and  dethroned.  All  their 
cunning  devices  have  failed. 

MENDOTA  TOWNSHIP 

ABE  LINCOLN   443 

STEPHEN  A.  DOUGLAS  . .   193 


From  The  Mendota  Bulletin,  Aug.  28,  1868: 

REPUBLICAN 
MASS     MEETING 

Speeches  By 

GOVERNOR  R.  J.  0GLESB.Y. 
HON.  B.  C.  COOK  ETC. 

5.000  REPUBLICANS  GATHERED  IN  COUNCIL 

MENDOTA  WELCOMES  THE  GOVERNOR 

300  Tanners  in  Procession 


Nothing  short  of  display  headings 
will  do  justice  to  the  spontaneous 
outburst  of  enthusiasm  of  last 
Tuesday.  We  hope  our  political 
opponents  will  excuse  heavy  letters 
and   exclamation   points. 

Governor  Oglesby  arrived  on  the 
noon  train  from  Chicago,  and  was 
received  by  the  Committee  of  Re- 
ception, comprising  our  Mayor  and 
17  other  of  our  leading  republicans, 
and    escorted    to    the    residence    of 


Dr.  Hodge,  which  became  his  head- 
quarters for  the  day. 

About  the  same  time,  a  large 
delegation,  led  by  a  brass  band  in 
a  band  wagon,  and  a  still  larger 
wagon,  containing  a  tall  pole  with 
a  large  flag  and  some  40  persons, 
followed  by  20  or  so  wagons  and 
carriages,  filled  with  honest  repub- 
licans, their  wives  and  daughters, 
came  in  from  the  vicinity  of  Melu- 
gin    and    Paw    Paw.      Team    after 


86 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


team,  from  an  early  hour  in  the 
morning,  were  coming  in  from  all 
points  of  the  compass;  while  the 
noon  train  brought  in  many  repre- 
sentations from  Sublette,  Amboy, 
Dixon,  Meriden,  Earl,  Princeton, 
Wenona  etc. 

At  2  o'clock,  when  the  meeting 
commenced,  some  5,000  people 
were  assembled  about  the  speaker's 
stand  in  the  open  space  near  the 
Baptist  church.  Many  carriages 
and  wagons,  full  of  listeners,  occu- 
pied the  edge  of  the  crowd,  and  the 
orators,  musicians,  glee  club  and 
committee  the  stand. 

After  music  by  the  band,  Mr. 
Locke,  an  old,  veteran,  musical 
composer  sang  the  Republican 
Rallying  Song.  Mayor  Emmerson 
then  introduced  the  Governor,  who, 
in  a  two  hour's  speech,  held  the 
audience  spell-bound  by  his  elo- 
quent earnestness  and  faithful  por- 
trayal of  the  issues  before  the 
country. 


At  8  o'clock  200  Tanners  marched 
to  the  depot  and  received  the  Am- 
boy Tanners,  90  strong,  and  all 
moved  in  blazing  batallion  through 
the  streets  to  the  grounds  and 
formed  around  the  speaker's  stand. 
A  larger  crowd  than  that  of  the 
afternoon  was  gathered  together. 
Mr.  Cook  led  off  with  an  hour's 
speech,  followed  by  Mr.  McCall  of 
Wenona  and  others.  Among  the 
good  music  of  the  occasion  was  the 
song  of  the  "Tanner  and  Blue"  by 
the  Glee  Club,  with  the  following 
chorus: 

Fill  up  the  ranks  for  Grant,  boys, 
Fill  up  for  Colfax,   too, 
For  we  will  have  for  President 
A  "Tanner"  dressed  in  "Blue". 

It  called  forth  merited  applause. 
The  meeting  adjourned  about  11 
o'clock,  when  the  Tanners  marched 
to  the  depot  and  saw  their  visitors 
off. 


From  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  Oct.  2,  1868: 


THE  DEMOCRATIC  MEETING 


in  the  city  last  Friday,  was  not  a 
very  big  thing.  Superhuman  efforts 
had  been  put  forth  to  have  a  large 
crowd  in  attendance,  and  to  eclipse 
the  Republican  mass  meeting  of 
the  16th  instant;  but  "what  a  fall 
there  was,  Oh,  my  countrymen!" 
In  the  afternoon,  a  delegation  from 
Perkins  Grove,  LaMoille,  and  all 
the  country  west  for  many  miles, 
came  in,  numbering  13  horsemen 
and  less  than  a  dozen  wagons.  They 
drove  through  Washington  Street 
on  a  gallop,  as  though  ashamed  of 
themselves.  A  little  later  the  same 
thing  moved  around  the  streets  in 
a  "grand  procession"  escorted  by 
the  Mendota  White  Boys  on  foot 
to  the  number  of  48,  and  the  band 
in  a  wagon. 

We  were  not  present  to  hear  the 
speeches,  but,  as  reported  to  us, 
they    consisted    wholly    of    denuncia- 


tions of  the  radical  Congress, 
radical  party,  and  everything  in 
that  line,  very  much  to  the  surprise 
of  honest  democrats,  who  expected 
to  hear  the  candidates  and  princi- 
ples of  democracy  portrayed  in 
glowing  colors. 

The  procession  of  torches  in  the 
evening  was  very  good,  considering 
the  numbers,  nearly  300,  and  of 
course  could  not  be  expected  to 
make  as  much  of  a  show  as  the 
1236  Tanners  of  the  16th.  They 
all  seemed  to  have  the  disease, 
"Nigger  on  the  Brain,"  very  bad, 
as  most  of  their  mottoes  and  trans- 
parencies were  on  that  opaque  sub- 
ject, such  as,  a  picture  of  a  buck 
nigger  wreathed  with  the  words, 
"Radical  Lieutenant  Governor  of 
Louisiana";  another  nigger  trying 
to  kiss  a  pretty  white  girl;  a  mot- 
toe,  "Niggers,  buy  your  own  Soap", 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


87 


and  a  flag  with  this  eloquent  utter- 
ance, "White  Men  Must  Rule 
America",  (they  have  since  1861). 
The  rebel  cannon  spoke  forth  in 
powdery  tones,  and  the  beautiful 
flag  near  the  depot  floated  in  the 
breeze  as  if  indignant  at  the  names 
foisted  upon  its  folds;  prominent 
democratic  homes  were  illuminated, 
and  everything  went  off  very  pleas- 
antly, and  without  much  excite- 
ment, until  late  in  the  evening, 
when    whiskey   and   beer   began    to 


work,  —  a  more  crazy,  drunken, 
disgraceful  set  of  men  never  being 
around  our  depot  since  it  was  built, 
than  the  crew  of  White  "Boys"  that 
evening,  and  we'll  leave  it  to  the 
democrats  if  it  was  not  so.  Sub- 
scriptions were  raised  the  next 
morning  to  get  many  of  them  home 
on  the  train.  "Alas!  Poor  Yorick!" 

*        T        'T        *        T 

MENDOTA  TOWNSHIP 

Ulyses  Grant   612 

Horatio  Seymour   284 


From  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  Aug.  10,  1888: 


THE  GREAT  FAIR 


St  John,  Palmer  and  Fifer — these 
three  celebrated  orators  will  be  in 
Mendota  all  in  one  week.  People 
"from  miles  around"  are  coming 
to  our  city  by  the  thousands  to 
hear  them  speak. 

Close  up  the  business  houses  in 
the  afternoon. 

The  greatest  Fair  and  political 
gathering  ever  seen  in  Illinois 
will   be   held   in   Mendota  on   Sept. 


4,  5,  6  and  7,  1888.  The  Hon.  John 
P.  St  John  will  address  the  people 
at  the  fair  grounds  on  Wednesday, 
in  the  interest  of  the  Prohibition 
Party.  On  Thursday  the  Hon. 
John  M.  Palmer  will  gather  his 
hosts  around  him  and  expound  the 
principle  of  Democracy  and  on  Fri- 
day "Private"  Jo  Fifer,  the  next 
governor  of  Illinois  will  address  the 
multitudes. 


From  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  Aug.  31,  1888: 

LOCAL  REPUBLICAN  CLUB 


The  Republicans  of  this  city  have 
been  organized  into  five  separate 
clubs.  First,  the  Tippecanoes,  sec- 
ond, the  Harrison  and  Morton  club, 
composed  of  middle  aged  men  who 
will  wear  white  hats  and  carry  red, 
white  and  blue  umbrellas  in  the  day 
time    and    hand    lanterns    at    night, 


third,  the  Torch  Bearers,  fourth, 
the  Flambeau  Club,  50  strong  with 
nickel  helmets,  white  capes  and  the 
unsuppressable  flambeau  which 
shoots  fire  ten  feet  in  the  air.  Last 
are  the  Juvenile  Republicans,  not 
yet  voters,  but  their  enthusiasm  is 
something  to  be  admired. 


From  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  Sept.  14,  1888: 

REPUBLICAN  DAY  -  706-477  !  !  ! 


Last    Friday's   demonstration   the 
greatest  ever  held  in  Mendota. 
Everybody    regardless    of    party, 


admits  that  it  was  the  greatest  rally 
ever  held  in  this  city. 

Mr.    Fifer    arrived    on    the    noon 


88 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


train  and  was  met  by  Mayor  Lam- 
berton,  Col.  Mclntire,  Marshall  of 
the  Day,  the  Fair  officials,  the  Re- 
ception Committee  and  other  citi- 
zens. The  Flambeau  Club  escorted 
him  to  the  Union  Depot  Hotel, 
where  his  physical  wants  were  at- 
tended to.  By  this  time  the  special 
trains  began  to  arrive.  The  branch 
brought  in  between  four  and  five 
hundred,  the  Streator  branch  as 
many  more,  Ottawa  alone  sending 
250.  Princeton  about  200,  and  other 
towns  in  proportion. 

After  dinner  the  procession 
formed  on  Washington  St.  with  the 
Monmouth  band  and  the  Mendota 
Flambeaux  in  the  lead  acting  as 
escort  to  Private  Jo  Fifer  and  other 
citizens  who  followed  in  carriages. 
The  Flambeaux  Club  carried  off 
the  laurels  for  the  most  attractive 
get  up.  Their  dazzling  nickel  hel- 
mets, white  and  blue  capes  and  the 
fire  tossing  flambeaux  made  a  great 
sensation.  They  will  be  "much 
wanted"  crowd  before  this  cam- 
paign is  over. 

Behind  these  was  the  Mendota 
Marching  Club  and  then  came  a 
great  line  of  marchers  from  other 


towns,  namely;  Ottawa,  Mendota, 
Compton,  Arlington,  LaMoille,  La- 
Salle,  Earlville  and  Prophetstown. 
There  were  just  706  marchers,  all 
in  uniform  and  on  the  previous  day 
there  were  just  477.  These  figures 
are  uncolored  non-partisan  and  cor- 
rect. 

Mr.  Fifer's  speech  was  something 
worth  going  miles  to  hear.  We 
cannot  scare  up  adjectives  enough 
to  describe  it.  It  was  eloquent, 
it  was  scholarly,  it  was  logical, 
honest  and  convincing,  but  it  lacked 
two  things — the  bravado  of  Palmer 
and  the  sophistry  of  St  John. 

In  the  evening  he  was  given  a 
reception  at  Dr.  Corbus*  residence 
which  had  been  beautifully  dec- 
orated. Mr.  Gerould  illuminated 
the  ground  with  arches,  gas-trees 
and   other  unique   designs. 

After  a  grand  display  of  fire 
works  Hon.  Isaac  Clements  ad- 
dressed the  people  at  the  City  Hall 
in  a  ringing  speech.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  Mr.  Quinn  when  the 
storm  came  up  and  interrupted  him. 

The  great  fair  was  over  and  the 
town   became   quiet   once   more. 


From  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  Nov.  9,  1888: 


|  West  Precinct 

Harrison    

252   1 

Cleveland    

235   1 

Fiske    

12   I 

Streeter    

2 

1— 

I  East  Precinct 

Harrison    218 

Cleveland 211 

Fiske 9 

Streeter    4 


From  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  Oct.  29,  1892: 

WHERE    WAS    MENDOTA??? 


There  was  a  grand  Republican 
rally  at  Ottawa  last  night,  but 
where  was  Mendota?  She  was  like 
Loosh  Crooker  at  the  barbeque — 
conspicuous  for  her  absence.  Four 
years    ago,   when   the   special    train 


went  from  here  to  Ottawa  there 
were  425  tickets  sold,  yesterday 
there  were  about  25. 

People  were  asking  for  the  Men- 
dota delegation.  When  they  went 
to    the    train    to    meet    them    they 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


89 


found  that  the  Flambeaux  had  been 
lost  off  the  train  and  then  the  few 
members  who  were  there  did  not 
fall  into  line,  but  straggled  off  like 
a  lot  of  sheep.  We  asked  who  was 
in  command  of  them  and  they  re- 
plied, "Nobody,  we's  runnin'  our- 
selves." That  tells  the  whole  thing 
in  a  nutshell.  And  in  that  magnifi- 
cent pageant  not  a  man  to  represent 
this  town. 

People  wanted  to  know  where 
was  the  famous  Mendota  Flambeau 
Club,  the  "pride  of  the  west." 
Flambeaux  lying  in  a  ditch  near 
Wedron,  and  the  members  of  the 
club  who  did  do  their  duty  and  try 
to  represent  the  town  were  sneak- 
ing down  to  dark  alleys,  with  their 
white  coats  folded  up  out  of  sight, 
ashamed  to  have  it  known  that  they 
were  from  Mendota.  Compare  this 
with  the  Flambeau  Club  that  went 


to  Ottawa  last  time,  the  sensation 
of  the  State? 

The  flambeaux  fell  off  the  train, 
and  "oh,  what  a  fall  was  there  my 
countrymen,"  for  with  it  fell  the 
reputation  and  pride  of  that  once 
famous  band  of  campaign  warriors. 
What  a  drop  from  their  once  proud 
position. 

We  wouldn't  care  if  it  was  so  all 
over  the  State,  but  it  is  not.  The 
Republican  clubs  of  other  towns 
are  larger  and  better  than  ever  and 
Illinois  is  going  republican  by  20,- 
000  or  better.  But  the  Mendota 
Flambeau  Club!  Last  campaign  it 
rivaled  the  Ottawa  Tippecanoes  for 
supremacy  in  the  State.  Does  it 
seem  possible  that  they  were  once 
the  rivals  of  the  "Tips"?  What  is 
Mendota  coming  to?  She  is  cer- 
tainly not  keeping  up  with  the  pro- 
cession. 


From  the  Mendota  Bulletin,  Nov.  12,  1892: 

ELECTION  IN  MENDOTA 


You   are  living  in   a   Republican 
town.     Mendota  has  redeemed  her- 


self and  is  again  in  the  Republican 
column  by  18  majority. 


West  Precinct 

Cleveland     249 

Harrison    237 


East  Precinct 

Harrison    241 

Cleveland     211 


From  The  Sun-Bulletin,  Oct.  3,  1912: 

Crowds  Attend  the  Big  Fall  Festival 
Prominent  Political  Speakers  Attract  Many 


Tuesday  marked  the  opening  of  the 
big  fall  festival.  It  was  progressive 
day  and  was  characterized  in  the 
afternoon  by  speeches  by  Hon. 
Raymond  Robbins  of  Chicago  and 
Hon.  W.  W.  Kirby  of  Jacksonville, 
Fla.  who  both  presented  the  cause 
of   the  progressive  party. 


Republican  Day  Wednesday 

Wednesday  morning  Gov.  Deneen 
and  his  party  in  a  special  train 
arrived  at  10:45  and  were  taken  to 
the  City  Park  in  automobiles  where 
a  large  crowd  had  gathered  to  hear 
the  speakers  and  attend  the  horse 
show.      In    the    party    were    Gov. 


90 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Deneen,  Lt.  Gov.  Oglesby,  Secy, 
of  State  C.  J.  Doyle,  Atty  Gen. 
Stead,  Jas.  B.  Mccullough,  Hon. 
Russell,  Hon.  B.  M.  Chipperfield 
and  Hon.  William  E.  Mason. 
Democratic  Day  Thursday 
Thursday    was    Democratic    day 


and  Hon.  Samuel  Alschuler  of 
Aurora  was  the  speaker.  He  was 
welcomed  at  the  depot  by  a  large 
reception  Committee  after  which  a 
procession  was  formed  and  paraded 
the  streets. 


From  The  Sun-Bulletin,  Nov.  7,  1912: 

DEMOCRACY  IS  TRIUMPHANT 


Wo( 

>drow 

ities   in 

Wilson  elected  next  Pre 

sident 

Split  in 

Democratic  Major 

both  House  and  Senate. 

Republican 

ranks  Disastrous. 

Mendota  Twp. 

For  President: 

1st 

2nd                  3rd 

4th 

Tot. 

Taft,  R 

63 

53                    16 

60 

192 

Wilson,  D 

185 

99                  119 

126 

529 

Roosevelt,  P 

128 

81                    68 

164 

441 

From  the  Mendota  Reporter,  Sept.  15,  1932: 

ROUSING  MEETING 

FOR 

JUDGE   HORNER 


He  tells  what  he  stands  for  in 
asking  for  the  Governorship. 
Makes  good  impression  on  people. 


There  was  a  rousing  Democratic 
meeting  held  at  the  City  Park  this 
Thursday  noon  and  it  was  largely 
attended.  This  was  for  the  purpose 
of  having  our  people  meet  Judge 
Henry  Horner,  the  Democratic 
candidate  for  Governor  of  the  State 
of  Illinois.     Mr.  Horner  was  late  in 


arriving,  so  Atty.  Madden  intro- 
duced Atty.  Elmer  Mohan  of 
Streator  who  is  a  candidate  for  the 
office  of  State's  Attorney.  Mr. 
Mohan  made  a  very  good  speech 
and  greatly  impressed  the  people 
with  his  ability  as  an  orator  and 
also    in     stating    facts     concerning 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


91 


what  the  Democratic  party  will 
make  an  effort  to  do.  He  told  of 
a  great  wave  that  is  sweeping  over 
the  country  and  LaSalle  County  is 
no  exception.  It  looked  to  him 
like  the  entire  ticket  would  be 
elected  from  top  to  bottom  and  he 
was  satisfied  a  house  cleaning  was 
needed. 

Judge  Horner  Arrives 

Soon  the  principal  speaker  of  the 
event  arrived  and  Judge  Horner 
and  his  party  appeared  at  the  City 
Park.  Mr.  Mohan  ceased  his  talk 
and  Atty.  Madden  introduced  a 
number  of  the  state  candidates  who 
were  in  the  party.  They  all  praised 
Judge  Horner  and  told  of  the  won- 
derful reception  that  the  Judge  is 
receiving  wherever  they  stop.  It 
looked  as  if  it  was  going  to  be  a 
landslide. 

Judge  Horner  was  then  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  Madden  and  he  was 
given  a  loud  ovation  by  the  people 
present.  At  that  time  little  Jean 
Selby  of  Mendota,  in  behalf  of  the 
Democratic  Woman's  Club  of  this 
city  presented  the  Judge  with  a 
beautiful  basket  of  flowers  of  the 
Bi-Centennial  colors,  red,  white  and 
blue. 

The  Judge  is  a  fine  looking  man 
and  thanked  the  little  girl  for  the 
flowers.     He  said  the  progress  of 


the  world  is  made  by  the  tottering 
steps  of  little  children. 

Mr.  Horner  started  right  off  with 
his  speech  and  stated  that  his  one 
purpose  of  being  a  candidate  for 
the  office  of  Governor  was  to  do 
something  for  the  people  of  the 
State.  This  is  a  serious  proposi- 
tion. It  is  not  a  circus  like  his 
opponent  is  putting  on  as  he  and 
his  party  passes  down  the  river  in 
a  government  boat  with  vaudeville, 
music  and  lots  of  hilarity.  Mr. 
Horner  said  it  is  a  serious  problem 
and  looking  into  the  faces  of  the 
people  anyone  can  tell  they  have 
something  to  think  about  that  calls 
for  serious  thinking.  The  entire 
nation  is  in  the  slumps  and  12,000,- 
000  men  are  out  of  employment. 
Nero  fiddled  while  Rome  burned 
and  he  wants  the  people  to  know 
that  he  is  not  fiddling  while  the 
people  are  in  trouble  and  it  looks 
as  if  the  entire  nation  is  going  to 
disaster.  He  impressed  the  people 
with  his  earnest  manner.  He  praised 
Franklin  Roosevelt  and  said  he  was 
not  a  great  engineer  who  was  run- 
ning for  President.  We  have  one 
of  those  Great  Engineers  at  Wash- 
ington today.  When  the  tide  turned 
he  poured  a  lot  of  money  into  Wall 
Street  and  thought  that  would  turn 
the  tide. 


From  The  Mendota  Reporter,  Oct.  13,  1932: 

EX-GOV.   SMALL  WAS  HERE 
RALLY  HELD   SATURDAY  EVENING 


WELL   ATTENDED    REPUBLICAN   RALLY   AT 

ELK'S    AUDITORIUM.      MUCH    ENTHUSIASM 

SHOWN.     PARADE  AT  7:30  THROUGH 

BUSINESS  DISTRICT. 

STATE  AND  COUNTY  CANDIDATES  WERE  HERE  TO 
MEET  AND  GREET  OUR  PEOPLE. 


92 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


John  E.  Black  Presided  as  Chairman. 

;Don't  Let  Chicago  Dominate  the  State. 

was  the  Keynote  of  Talks. 


A  Republican  rally  was  held  in 
Mendota  Saturday  evening  and 
there  was  a  large  attendance  at  the 
Auditorium  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
Saturday  evening  is  usually  devoted 
to  shopping. 

Chairman  Black  next  introduced 
Senator  Noah  M.  Mason  of 
Oglesby.  Mr.  Mason  represents 
LaSalle  County  and  is  a  live-wire 


official.  He  does  things  just  like 
Congressman  Buckbee  does.  He 
had  a  blackboard  and  said  it  was  a 
history  lesson.  The  depressions 
have  come  under  Democratic  ad- 
ministrations with  the  exception  of 

1931_32. 

Mason  made  one  of  the  best  talks 
of  the  evening. 


From  The  Mendota  Reporter,  Nov.  3,  1932: 

HOW   TO   VOTE   A   SPLIT   BALLOT 
IS  EXPLAINED 


County  Clerk  Tells  How  You  Should  Mark  Your 

Ballot,   Cross   in   Square   Decides 

How  Votes  Are  Counted. 


The  attendance  at  the  Republican  rally  on  Friday  was  not  large  and 
it  was  thought  that  most  of  the  people  were  at  home  listening  to  President 
Hoover's  talk  that  evening. 


From  The  Mendota  Reporter,  Nov.  10,  1932: 

MENDOTA  TOWNSHIP   FOLLOWS 

THE   NATION   IN   GREAT 

DEMOCRATIC  LANDSLIDE 

TWO  PRECINCTS  IN  MENDOTA  REMAIN  IN 

REPUBLICAN  COLUMN,  SECOND  AND  FOURTH. 

ROOSEVELT  CARRIES  MENDOTA  BY 

266  VOTES. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


93 


BUCKBEE     WINS     IN     DIS- 
TRICT. REPUBLICANS  SAVE 
TWO    COUNTY   OFFICES. 

#       *       *       * 

Large  Vote  Cast  in  Every  Pre- 
cinct. Illinois  Went  Demo- 
cratic for  First  Time  in  Many 


Years.     Many      Surprises      in 

Neighboring  Townships.  Men- 

dota   Casts   2,644   Votes. 


Roosevelt    1,433 

Hoover    1,167 


From  The  Mendota  Reporter,  Oct.  30,  1952: 


VOTE   •   MENDOTA   •   VOTE 


From  The  Mendota  Reporter,  Nov.  6,  1952: 


Mendotans  Go  to  Polls  90%  Strong 

EISENHOWER   2564 

STEVENSON    643 


The  foregoing  selections  from  the  local  press  of  former  years  gives 
a  comprehensive  view  of  national  politics  as  seen  across  the  desk  of 
the  local  editor.  This  picture  is  somewhat  out  of  focus  for  the  past 
30  years,  during  which  little  editorial  has  appeared,  this  having  been 
taken  over  by  the  metropolitan  dailies  and  radio  and  television. 

Mendota,  located  in  the  far  corner  of  the  county,  30  miles  from 
the  county  seat,  has  only  rarely  enjoyed  state  or  county  office.  Among 
those  who  have  gone  it  is  likely  that  none  from  Mendota  have  played 
a  larger  part  than  Goedtner,  Gardner,  Witte,  and  Crawford. 

Corbus  P.  Gardner,  prominent  Mendota  attorney,  was  perhaps 
the  outstanding  Republican  leader  in  the  city.  As  State  Senator  he 
represented  this  district  in  the  Illinois  legislature  in  the  1898  session, 
being  re-elected  in  1902  and  again  in  1906,  wherein  his  services  were 
outstanding.  Always  active  in  civic  affairs,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  Masons,  Knights  Templar,  Chicago  Medina 
Temple  Shrine  and  Freeport  Consistory,  Elks,  and  Kiwanis,  also  the 
Union  League  club  of  Chicago. 


94 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


His  principal  associates  in  party  work,  George  D.  Tower,  R.  N. 
Crawford,  and  Rudolph  Witte  are  also  deceased.  Another  associate 
was  John  W.  Dubbs,  for  a  time  associated  also  in  legal  practice,  still 
living. 

Rudolph  Witte,  life-long  Republican  worker,  served  for  many 
years  as  chairman  of  the  county  Republican  central  committee.  Robert 
N.  Crawford  served  a  term  as  county  treasurer,  as  did  John  Goedtner. 

John  Goedtner  was  a  leader  of  the  local  Democratic  party  for  over 
50  years,  having  served  as  township  supervisor  for  22  years. 

Among  those  active  today,  recognition  should  be  given  to  Joseph 
P.  Stremlau,  B.  Harry  Reck,  and  Glenn  Momeny — all  active  in  their 
respective  party  circles. 

B.  Harry  Reck,  Republican,  has  had  his  law  offices  in  Mendota 
for  nearly  40  years.  For  14  years  he  was  judge  of  the  county  court  of 
La  Salle  county,  1919  to  1934.  Judge  Reck  campaigned  for  congress 
in  1936  and  for  circuit  judge  in  1939.  He  is  active  in  boys  and  girls 
work  in  several  state  associations,  and  civically.  He  is  associated  in 
law  practice  with  his  son,  Robert  H.  Reck,  and  with  Ernest  Claus. 

Joseph  Stremlau,  Democrat,  is  one  of  the  three  representatives 
from  La  Salle  county  in  the  Illinois  general  assembly,  where  he  has 
served  the  community  well  since  1948.  He  got  his  political  start,  as 
he  likes  to  tell  it,  when  his  eleven  children  came  of  voting  age.  Always 
active  in  community  work,  "Joe"  served  for  13  years  as  manager  of  the 
Peterstown  elevator,  for  four  years  as  deputy  sheriff  of  the  county, 
four  years  with  the  state  oil  inspection  division,  and  four  years  with  the 
U.  S.  bureau  of  internal  revenue  as  deputy  collector  in  the  first  district. 
He  resides  with  his  family  on  his  200-acre  farm  about  three  miles  from 
Mendota. 

Glenn  Momeny,  who  recently  retired  as  mayor  after  serving  eight 
years  in  that  office,  has  been  a  Republican  party  worker  since  early 
manhood.  He  had  a  big  part  in  the  rejuvenation  of  the  county  Repub- 
lican organization  following  the  Democratic  landslides  of  20  years  ago. 
He  is  chairman  of  the  county  Republican  central  committee.  He  is  an 
employee  of  the  Burlington  railroad,  and  an  active  worker  for  civic 
betterment. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP  95 


HEAVENWARD  POINT  THE  vJPIRES 


S 


"Let  us  build  a  Church  that  includes  the  whole  of  life, 
both  the  prosaic  and  the  poetic,  a  religion  that  walks 
the  earth  and  ministers  to  immediate  needs,  but  which 
also  rises  to  the  stars  and  sweeps  through  the  infinities 
of  the  imagination."    —  Ames. 


JLt  is  often  said  that  the  number  of  church  spires  in  a  town  are  a 
good  index  to  the  character  of  the  community.  If  this  is  true,  then 
Mendota  may  well  be  proud  of  its  reputation  in  the  religious  world 
today. 

The  word  of  God  is  preached  from  the  pulpits  of  eight  churches 
in  Mendota  —  five  of  whom  have  served  almost  a  full  century  in  this 
community.  They  are  the  Mendota  Methodist,  First  Baptist,  First 
Presbyterian,   Holy  Cross  Catholic,   and   St.  John's  Lutheran. 

Our  eight  churches  are  the  sole  survivors  of  some  22  churches 
and  religious  organizations  that  have  been  active  in  Mendota  at  one 
time  or  another  during  the  past  100  years.  Only  these  have  endured 
the  struggles  and  hardships  of  the  early  years,  trials  by  fire  and  wars, 
and  still  remain  to  serve  our  present  generation  today. 

Those  years  were  not  without  their  humorous  and,  at  times,  grim 
consequences.  Such  as  the  "antimonial"  wine  that  was  mistakenly 
served  to  members  of  the  Methodist  church  in  1859  who  were  taking 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP  97 


communion  at  a  quarterly  meeting  as  was  customary.  All  became  ill 
with  "billious  attack."  Peter  Cartwright,  presiding  elder,  remarked 
grimly  that  "it  was  the  first  time  he  ever  knew  of  an  attempt  to  vomit 
the  devil  out  of  the  church." 

And  a  tirade  was  conducted  against  bad  boys  who  loitered  around 
the  door  of  the  Methodist  church  after  services  .  .  .  and  later  the  same 
church  sedately  decided  to  install  hitching  posts  so  that  church-goers 
would  not  have  to  tie  their  horses  to  Mr.  Conkey's  trees. 

When  the  Baptists  moved  their  church  in  1869  while  a  new  one 
was  being  built  the  workmen  forgot  to  put  supports  under  the  floors. 
Just  before  services  the  floor  gave  way.  Squire  Guy  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  gallantly  offered  the  use  of  their  building  for  services. 

All  the  churches  took  up  collections  in  1865  to  aid  white  refugees, 
the  northern  sympathizers  obliged  to  flee  the  South. 

The  Baptist  church  proudly  summarized  in  1867  that  for  ten  years 
they  had  used  an  organ  made  by  Mr.  Tewksbury  in  his  kitchen.  Made 
in  kitchen  or  workshop,  Mr.  Tewksbury  was  one  to  know  how  to  build 
an  organ,  for  he  had  at  about  this  time  a  flourishing  organ  factory. 
The  Baptist  organ  may  have  been  his  first. 

The  usual  vicissitudes  of  the  pioneer,  so  common  to  the  first 
settlers  of  this  community,  were  interwoven  into  the  early  life  of  these 
Mendota  churches.  Unfortunately,  detailed  records  of  all  the  churches 
are  not  available,  yet  much  accurate  information  has  been  secured. 

In  1853  Mendota  was  a  little  village  with  less  than  100  inhabitants. 
Little  is  known  of  the  religious  life  of  the  community  in  the  years  prior 
to  that  time,  except  the  fact  that  traveling  preachers  and  priests  came 
here  occasionally  and  held  services  for  all  who  were  interested. 

When  the  village  was  first  established  there  was  no  church  in  the 
entire  area.  So  the  Methodists,  Baptists,  Presbyterians  and  several 
other  Protestant  organizations  began  holding  church  services  and 
Sunday  School  in  the  old  school  house  located  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Library  Park.  This  was  a  small  building,  only  25  by  45  feet  in  size, 
and  faced  the  south.  It  is  still  in  existence  today,  having  been  moved 
some  years  ago  to  Wisconsin  Avenue  and  remodeled  into  a  residence. 

While  the  Protestants  were  meeting  in  the  school  house,  Catholic 
priests  from  LaSalle,  Peru  and  other  nearby  towns  came  to  Mendota 
frequently  and  read  mass  in  the  homes  of  the  Catholic  people  living 
here  at  that  time.  Separate  services  were  held  for  both  English  and 
German  speaking  families,  since  many  of  the  new  settlers  were  immi- 
grants from  Germany  and  had  not  yet  learned  the  English  language. 
Until  1877,  Mendota  was  under  the  Diocese  of  Chicago. 

The  first  church  building  actually  built  was  that  of  the  Baptists, 

98  MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


in  early  1854.  The  Methodists  started  to  build  the  second  church  four 
years  later  to  supplant  meetings  in  the  old  school  house,  but  their 
church  was  not  completely  ready  until  1863,  due  to  "labor  and  material 
shortages"  caused  by  the  war.  But  it  was  hailed  as  a  model  of 
architectural  beauty,  with  expert  work  in  graining  the  pews  done  by 
Dean  and  Shaw.  The  original  church  building  is  in  existence  today, 
many  times  enlarged  and  remodeled,  soon  to  be  replaced  with  a  new 
building,  and  the  congregation  will  honor  its  100th  anniversary  in  1954. 

St.  Mary's  Catholic  parish  was  established  in  1854.  This  was  an 
Irish  Catholic  church.  The  Holy  Cross  German  Catholic  group  was 
organized  in  1858. 

The  fourth  religious  group  to  organize  in  Mendota  was  the 
Presbyterians.  Their  church  was  established  in  1855  at  a  meeting  held 
in  the  old  school  house  in  Library  park,  later  meeting  in  the  Library 
Hall. 

Some  time  in  1857  or  1858  another  group  of  Presbyterians 
organized  what  was  known  as  the  New  School  or  Second  Presbyterian 
church  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Barrett.  They  built  a  small 
church  and  conducted  services  in  the  building  until  June  23,  1866, 
when  they  disbanded  and  the  entire  congregation  of  19  members 
united  with  the  First  Presbyterian  church. 

When  the  Presbyterian  churches  united,  the  Second  Presbyterian 
church  building  was  sold  to  the  Universalist  Society,  which  thrived 
for  eight  or  ten  years.  Very  little  is  remembered  about  this  sect, 
as  it  was  small  and  became  inactive  about  1875.  History  does  record 
that  Willard  Graves  donated  a  "large,  rich-toned  bell"  to  the  church  in 
1867,  and  that  a  state  convention  of  Universalists  was  held  in  Mendota 
in  1868. 

Though  disbanded,  the  surviving  members  of  the  Universalist 
Society  erected  a  beautiful  little  chapel  in  the  southwest  corner  of 
Restland  cemetery.  Although  this  chapel  has  not  been  used  for  many 
years,  it  still  contains  a  beautiful  pulpit  Bible  with  gold  lettering 
stating  that  it  was  a  gift  to  the  Universalist  Society  of  Mendota  from 
the  Second  Universalist  Sabbath  School  of  Chicago. 

The  German  Lutheran  church  had  its  inception  in  the  spring  of 
1858,  stemming  from  settlements  of  German  immigrants  located  in 
Perkins  Grove  and  Knox  Grove.  Paster  Hildebrand  came  to  organize 
the  German  Protestants.  After  about  a  year  and  a  half  of  meetings  in 
a  public  hall  they  built  a  church  which  they  occupied  until  1867,  this 
being  replaced  by  a  new  one.  The  old  church  was  removed  to  one  side 
of  the  lot  and  used  as  a  school  house. 

As  construction  on  the  new  church  neared  completion  in  June  of 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  99 


1868,  it  was  remarked  in  the  press  that  the  spire  was  the  subject  of 
many  heavenward  glances,  what  with  workmen  climbing  up  and 
down  its  sides,  applying  lightning  rods,  weather-vane  with  revolving 
rooster  and  points  of  the  compass. 


TIME  FOR  A  RHYME 

The  editor,  admitting  his  poetical  machine  was  out  of  gear,  spun 
off  a  rhyme  in  a  manner  queer.    Wrote  he: 

Far  above  the  spire 
There  runs  a  wire  — 

A  lightning  rod 
That  runs  up  higher 
Than  e'en  church  spire 

Which  points  to  God. 
Way  up  in  the  sky 
The  Winds  will  vie 

The  Vane  to  turn; 
A  Rooster  high 
To  wink  her  eye 

At  N.E.W.S.  so  firm! 
That's  the  reason  the  people 
Upward  gaze  at  the  church  steeple. 

The  poet  was  apparently  J.  Snell,  an  Aurora  man  who  had  taken  over 
the  editorship  of  The  Bulletin  a  few  months  before.  Note  his  gender 
given  the  rooster.  A  week  later  the  rooster  was  still  good  copy.  The 
editor  vowed  he  could  not  say  whether  the  rooster  undertook  to  crow, 
but  he  certainly  saw  it  "lay"  over  to  one  side.  The  wind  had  turned 
it  topsy-turvey  so  a  workman  had  to  go  up  on  the  steeple  and  set  it 
right. 

It  was  in  the  year  1862  that  the  pastor  of  the  Perkins  Grove 
Evangelical  Circuit  (German  Methodist),  Rev.  Jacob  Schaefle,  and  his 
assistant,  Rev.  C.  Gagstatter,  began  holding  preaching  services  in 
Mendota.  They  continued  until  1867  when  a  Mendota  mission  was 
organized  with  about  20  members  and  a  resident  pastor,  Rev.  M. 
Stamm.  Next  year  a  church  was  erected  at  Jefferson  street  and 
Indiana  avenue,  which  later  became  the  present  Evangelical  United 
Brethren  church. 

A  tall  spire  "100  feet  from  the  ground"  was  the  finger  pointing 
to  God  on  top  of  the  church  of  the  Free- Will  Baptists,  built  about  1866. 
Trustees  were  S.  A.  Schwards,  George  Hetzler,  J.  Carr,  D.  Tripp,  and 

100         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


J.  Walters  Jr.  The  society  was  short-lived;  when  they  disbanded  the 
building  was  converted  into  a  residence  and  is  now  owned  and  occupied 
by  George  W.  Nisley,  at  Seventh  street  and  Fifth  avenue. 

Daily  prayer  meetings  were  held  at  Y.M.C.A.  Hall  on  Washington 
street  in  1867,  indicating  the  existence  of  another  religious  group  of 
that  era. 

The  Episcopalians  also  had  a  group  here  at  this  same  time.  Serv- 
ices, apparently,  were  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church  building. 

Another  denomination,  known  as  the  United  Congregational  and 
Lutheran  churches,  was  active  in  1867  and  elected  Rev.  W.  H.  Wynn 
as  their  pastor.  Their  church  was  located  on  Indiana  avenue  between 
Jefferson  and  Monroe.  A  church  building  designated  as  "Cong.  Ch" 
is  indicated  as  standing  north  of  the  present  Evangelical  United  Brethren 
church.  The  history  of  this  church  seems  to  be  lost  among  the  ever- 
changing  alignments.  The  Turnvereins  moved  the  building  to  Wash- 
ington street  on  lot  occupied  by  Purity  Ice  Cream,  later  remodeled  as 
"Germania  Opera  House." 

Another  church  which  enjoyed  a  brief  stay  in  the  village  was  the 
Quakers  (Society  of  Friends). 

The  Zion  Baptist  church  for  colored  people  was  another.  This 
group  occupied  a  fair  sized  frame  building  at  the  corner  of  Lincoln 
avenue  and  Eighteenth  street.  It  was  probably  built  prior  to  1874  and 
was  still  standing  in  1893. 

It  is  recalled  by  some  old-timers  that  when  meetings  were  dis- 
continued in  the  colored  Baptist  church,  many  of  their  members  wor- 
shipped at  the  First  Baptist  church. 

An  amusing  incident  is  told  about  a  group  attending  a  colored 
wedding  at  this  church.  It  seems  the  bridegroom  failed  to  appear.  It 
developed  that  he  was  employed  as  a  dining  car  waiter  on  the  railroad 
and  some  of  his  co-workers  played  a  trick  on  him.  He  was  taken  to 
Chicago  to  testify  on  a  trumped-up  charge  of  a  shortage  of  silverware 
on  the  diner.  Consequently  he  did  not  arrive  back  in  Mendota  until 
the  next  day.  The  couple  was  not  to  be  daunted.  They  went  the  next 
day  to  Chicago  where  they  were  married,  free  from  pranksters. 

At  one  time  there  were  three  Lutheran  churches.  The  German 
Lutheran  church,  now  known  as  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran,  was 
one.  A  second  was  the  Seminary  Lutheran  church,  which  first  held 
services  in  Cooper's  Hall  in  1875.  Their  north  side  church  was  pur- 
chased for  $800  in  1879  by  Prof.  Richter  who  bid  it  in  as  a  member 
of  the  Wartburg  Seminary  faculty.  It  went  out  of  existence  in  1889 
when  the  seminary  moved  to  Dubuque,  Iowa.  The  building  was  pur- 
chased in  1892  by  the  Advent  Christian  denomination. 

MAGNIFICENT  WHISTLE   STOP         101 


The  third  Lutheran  congregation  was  the  English  Lutheran  church. 
This  seems  to  have  been  united  with  the  Congregational  church,  de- 
scribed earlier,  and  they  may  have  been  one  and  the  same,  although  the 
merger  date  is  given  as  1868.  They  probably  relinquished  their  build- 
ing to  the  Seminary  Lutherans  when  they  joined  the  Congregationalists 
on  Indiana  avenue. 

In  1875  the  United  Brethren  church  was  organized  with  nine 
members.  They  were:  Daniel  Fahler  and  wife,  A.  Shouk  and  wife, 
J.  and  Mrs.  Billings,  Archey  Williams,  and  Rev.  U.  D.  Wood  and  wife. 
The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  G.  Designer,  who  remained  here  until  the 
autumn  of  1876  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  Wendle.  They 
purchased  the  church  owned  by  the  Universalist  Society  when  it  became 
inactive  in  1875. 

Another  religious  sect  which  had  a  brief  existence  in  this  communi- 
ty was  the  Church  of  God,  sometimes  known  as  the  Winebrennarians. 
This  was  a  small  society  which  built  a  church  in  the  north  part  of  town 
in  1884.  Their  pastor  in  1886  was  Rev.  Richmond.  It  is  not  known 
when  this  church  disbanded,  but  its  old  building  is  still  standing  and 
used  as  an  apartment  house. 


It  was  written  by  The  Mendota  Weekly  Chronicle  in  1870  that  "the 
spires  of  a  town  index  its  public  spirit"  and  the  item  boasted  the  dozen 
or  more  churches.  Mendota  no  longer  has  its  dozen  churches,  and  the 
spires  get  shorter  and  shorter  due  to  the  simple  economics  of  building 
costs.  But  the  eight  churches  existing  have  been  strengthened  by  the 
hardships  of  the  years.  They  are  emerging  into  a  new  century  that 
looks  ahead  to  continued  growth. 


MENDOTA  METHODIST  CHURCH 

Methodism  had  its  beginning  in  Mendota  in  March,  1854,  when 
12  local  Methodists  banded  together  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  John 
Webster,  a  minister  from  LaMoille,  who  frequently  conducted  services 
in  the  old  school  house. 

In  September,  1854,  the  Rev.  U.  P.  Golliday  was  appointed  as  the 
first  pastor  of  the  new  church  by  the  Rock  River  Methodist  Conference. 
Under  his  guidance  the  local  church  was  re-organized  and  chartered  as 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

For  several  months  the  Methodists  continued  to  worship  in  the 
old  school  house  where  all  the  Protestants  met  on  the  Sabbath,  and  then 


102         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


moved  to  Hastings  Hall  where  a  Sunday  School  was  organized  by  Rev. 
William  Edwards,  also  a  local  preacher,  who  became  its  first  super- 
intendent. 

No  records  are  available  for  the  first  two  years  of  the  church,  but 
when  Rev.  B.  Lowe  succeeded  Rev.  Golliday  as  pastor  in  1856,  he  listed 
60  members  of  the  congregation. 

The  First  Methodist  Church  building  was  erected  in  1858  on  land 
donated  by  John  Hastings.  This  was  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  Avenue  and 
Fifth  Street  and  this  church  still  stands  today.  Services  were  held 
in  the  basement  during  the  first  year  until  the  building  was  completed 
in  1859.  The  church  was  formally  dedicated  by  Dr.  T.  M.  Eddy  of 
Chicago  on  September  19,  1863. 

At  the  time  of  its  formal  dedication,  the  church  was  under  the 
leadership  of  Rev.  James  C.  Cramb  and  had  a  membership  of  85 
persons.  During  the  following  two  years  the  congregation  was  in- 
creased to  130  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  Hartman. 

On  March  1,  1866,  one  Sunday  evening  after  the  regular  services 
were  concluded,  a  catastrophe  almost  occurred.  A  large  chandelier 
containing  six  kerosene  lamps  fell  from  the  ceiling  and  started  a  fire. 
Fortunately,  no  one  was  hurt  and  members  of  the  congregation  ex- 
tinguished the  fire  with  shawls  and  other  wearing  apparel. 

In  looking  over  the  records  of  the  next  few  years,  one  is  immediate- 
ly impressed  with  the  achievements  of  Rev.  Frank  A.  Hardin  who  took 
charge  of  the  church  in  1866.  During  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate 
he  increased  the  membership  of  the  church  to  200  persons.  Rev. 
Hardin  is  credited  with  185  probationers  during  the  three  years  of  his 
service  with  the  church,  a  phenomenal  record  for  those  days. 

Some  time  during  the  next  few  years,  the  seating  capacity  of  the 
main  auditorium  was  greatly  increased  with  the  addition  of  a  gallery. 

In  1873  the  Rock  River  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Church  was 
held  in  Mendota,  which  was  considered  quite  an  honor  for  this  commu- 
nity. Bishop  Matthew  Simpson,  an  outstanding  Methodist  Bishop  of 
the  century,  as  well  as  personal  friend  and  advisor  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
was  the  presiding  bishop  at  this  conference. 

A  year  later  the  residence  just  east  of  the  church  building  was 
purchased  as  a  parsonage.  It  was  used  for  this  purpose  until  1905 
when  it  was  sold  and  moved  to  another  lot.  The  present  parsonage  was 
erected  on  this  site  in  1905. 

Extensive  remodeling  of  the  church  was  undertaken  in  1901  under 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Fred  D.  Stone,  and  this  work  was  completed  in 
April,  1902.  In  February,  1942,  the  building  now  known  as  the  Church 
House  was  purchased.     It  is  used  by  the  Beginners  and  Primary  De- 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         103 


partment  of  the  Sunday  School,  and  for  church  meetings  and  social 
affairs. 

On  November  19,  1944,  the  Mendota  Methodist  Church  celebrated 
its  90th  Anniversary  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  L.  D.  McGladrey 
who  brought  the  membership  up  to  501  persons. 

In  preparation  for  the  Church's  centennial  celebration  in  1954, 
plans  are  now  going  forward  for  construction  of  a  Sunday  school  and 
fellowship  hall  portion  of  a  completely  new  edifice  to  replace  the  old 
church  which  has  served  so  long  and  so  well  the  needs  of  the  Methodist 
people  in  Mendota. 

Ministers  who  have  served  the  church  are  U.  P.  Golliday  1854- 
1856;  B.  Lowe  1856-1858;  Caleb  Foster  1858-1860;  W.  C.  Willing 
1860-1862;  James  C.  Cramb  1862-1864;  J.  Hartman  1864-1866; 
Frank  A.  Hardin  1866-1869;  Nathan  H.  Axtel  1869-1871;  D.  J. 
Holmes  1871-1872;  J.  B.  McGuffin  1872-1874;  W.  H.  Smith  1874- 
1876;  F.  A.  Read  1876-1879;  J.  W.  Lee  1879-1881;  C.  A.  Bucks  1881- 
1884;  H.  L.  Martin  1884-1885;  C.  W.  Thornton  1885-1887;  J.  A.  J. 
Whipple  1887-1892;  J.  R.  Hamilton  1892-1896;  H.  K.  Vernon  1896- 
1898;  R.  L.  GrifTen  1898-1899;  Fred  D.  Stone  1899-1903;  W.  C. 
Reuter  1903-1904;  George  H.  Bennett  1904-1906;  Roderick  Murray 
1906-1909;  F.  J.  Milnes  1909-1910;  T.  P.  Brannum  1910-1916;  J.  F. 
Anderson  1916-1917;  W.  L.  Clapp  1917-1919;  H.  W.  Dack  1919-1922; 
H.  P.  Barnes  1922-1926;  James  A.  Wilson  1926-1930;  C.  J.  Doenecke 
1930-1935;  R.  E.  Bethards  1935-1936;  J.  E.  Robeson  1936-1940; 
Birger  Dahl  1940-1942;  Leslie  McGladrey  1942-1946;  Truman  Potter 
1946-1948;  J.  Richard  Drees,  1948-1953;  John  Paul  Stafford,  1953. 


FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH 

THE  FIRST  baptist  church  was  organized  in  Mendota  on  October 
28,  1854,  at  the  home  of  Rev.  Nathan  Denison,  a  Baptist  minister  who 
had  moved  here  from  New  York. 

Rev.  Denison  and  five  other  Baptists — Moses  Dix,  Reuben  Spencer, 
Orson  Waste,  Richard  Waste,  and  George  A.  Richmond  —  attended 
this  first  meeting.  At  an  adjourned  session  held  four  days  later,  11 
other  Baptists  joined  with  them  and  completed  the  organization.  Rev. 
Denison  was  elected  as  the  first  pastor  of  the  new  church. 

On  November  16,  Baptist  delegates  from  Paw  Paw,  LaMoille, 
LaSalle,  Princeton  and  Granville  met  in  the  school  house  as  a  council 
of  churches  to  recognize  the  new  church. 


104 


MAGNIFICENT  WHISTLE   STOP 


Prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  council,  however,  Rev.  Denison  had 
been  stricken  with  typhoid  fever.  He  rapidly  grew  worse  and  died  a 
few  weeks  later.  On  Thanksgiving  Day  morning  the  new  church  was 
left  without  a  pastor. 

No  regular  Baptist  minister  could  be  secured  until  May,  1855, 
when  Rev.  S.  B.  Gilbert  of  Clyde,  New  York,  came  to  Mendota  and 
became  pastor  of  the  church.  At  this  time  there  was  no  church  build- 
ing in  the  village  so  the  Baptists  held  services  wherever  a  suitable  place 
could  be  found.  First,  they  met  in  the  old  school  house,  then  in  West's 
warehouse,  then  in  a  new  building  erected  on  North  Main  Street  by 
W.  S.  Pomeroy,  and  finally  in  a  new  school  house  on  the  east  side. 

By  this  time  the  Baptist  congregation  had  grown  so  large  that 
plans  were  started  for  the  erection  of  a  church  building.  Lots  had  been 
donated  to  the  church  by  T.  B.  Blackstone  for  a  building  site  near 
Blackstone  Park,  but  after  due  consideration  it  was  thought  advisable 
to  change  the  location  to  the  west  side  because  the  town  was  advancing 
more  rapidly  in  that  direction. 

Mr.  John  West  of  Chicago  was  interviewed  on  the  matter  of  a 
building  site  and  he  presented  the  lots  at  Monroe  and  Indiana  where  the 
Baptists  erected  the  first  church  in  Mendota.  Mr.  West  also  gave  $100 
toward  the  building  which  was  erected  with  much  effort  and  sacrifice. 
One  member,  Deacon  Spencer,  even  mortgaged  his  farm  so  that  he 
might  contribute  to  the  building  fund. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  was  completed  in  May,  1856,  and  for 
two  years  it  was  the  only  church  building  in  the  town.  Rev.  S.  B. 
Gilbert  remained  as  pastor  for  14  years  and  during  that  time  baptized 
206  persons. 

The  Baptist  congregation  rapidly  outgrew  its  first  building  and 
when  Rev.  W.  M.  Haigh  followed  Rev.  Gilbert  as  pastor  in  1869, 
plans  were  already  under  way  for  a  new  building.  The  little  church 
in  which  they  had  been  worshipping  was  moved  to  the  back  of  the  lot 
and  a  fine  new  church  was  built  on  the  site. 

This  new  church  was  the  largest  in  the  city  at  that  time.  It  cost 
about  $20,000  with  two  tall  and  graceful  spires.  The  bell  alone  cost 
$1,000.  The  building  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  February,  1870, 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Evarts,  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  Chicago, 
officiating. 

On  the  day  of  the  dedication,  the  temperature  dropped  to  10 
degrees  below  zero.  In  spite  of  the  weather,  the  new  church  was 
packed  almost  to  capacity,  and  at  the  morning  and  evening  services, 
the  congregation  over-subscribed  the  building  fund.  Enough  was  left 
over  to  purchase  a  fine  bell  for  the  tower. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


105 


In  1888,  a  great  blow  came  to  the  church  when  the  local  organ 
factory  was  moved  to  Ottawa.  Seventy-one  members  were  lost  in  that 
one  year.  Sixty  letters,  including  that  of  the  pastor,  Rev.  Steadman, 
were  granted  at  one  time. 

In  1904,  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Annable,  the  church  build- 
ing which  had  served  the  congregation  34  years,  was  remodeled  to 
serve  38  years  more. 

On  March  11,  1942,  a  fire  of  unknown  origin  broke  out  and  the 
old  church  was  burned  to  the  ground.  Practically  the  only  thing  saved 
from  the  fire  was  the  pulpit  Bible. 

Shortly  after  the  fire,  Rev.  Kenneth  W.  Sollitt  became  pastor  of 
the  church.  The  congregation  continued  to  meet  in  the  Masonic  Temple 
Hall,  and  in  spite  of  handicaps,  grew  and  prospered.  It  was  not 
until  eight  years  later,  however,  that  a  new  church  was  completed. 
During  these  years  both  the  membership  and  attendance  of  the  church 
more  than  doubled. 

The  present  First  Baptist  Church  —  the  newest  church  edifice  in 
Mendota  —  is  located  on  the  same  site  of  the  building  destroyed  by 
fire.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  October  30,  1949,  and  the  building 
completed  and  dedicated  on  September  10,  1950. 

Pastors  who  have  served  the  church  are  Nathan  Denison  1854 
S.  B.  Gilbert  1854-1869;  W.  M.  Haigh  1869-1874;  T.  T.  Potter  1874 
1875;  T.  M.  Colwell  1875-1878;  R.  L.  Colwell  1878-1881;  W.  H.  Stead 
man  1882-1888;  Simeon  Hussey  1888-1890;  Hector  C.  Leland  1890 
1892;  Fred  R.  Swarthout  1893-1896;  Joseph  H.  Beaven  1896-1899 
George  N.  Ballantine  1899-1902;  C.  A.  Boughton  1902-1904;  E.  W 
Annable  1904-1908;  George  Yule  1909-1913;  A.  C.  Watson  1914-1916 
J.  B.  McKendry  1916-1918;  R.  T.  Gassoway  1919-1921;  C.  T.  Goodsell 
1921-1924;  Rodney  C.  Martin  1924-1925;  E.  W.  Annable  1926-1929 
V.  H.  MacNeill  1930-1936;  E.  I.  Sturkie  1937-1938;  Eugene  C.  Ander- 
son 1938-1942;  Kenneth  W.  Sollitt  1943  to  present. 


HOLY  CROSS  CATHOLIC  CHURCH 

the  holy  cross  catholic  church  represents  the  amalgamation 
of  the  two  original  Catholic  parishes  in  Mendota  which  took  place 
on  May  7,  1931.  St.  Mary's  Parish,  the  oldest,  traces  its  beginning  to 
1854,  while  Holy  Cross  Parish  was  established  here  in  1858.  Prior 
to  1877  both  parishes  were  part  of  the  Diocese  of  Chicago. 

The  old  St.  Mary's  Parish  dates  back  to  1854  when  Father  An- 
thony, who  was  then  stationed  as  pastor  of  St.  Patrick's  Parish  in 


106 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


LaSalle,  administered  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  English  speaking 
Catholics  of  Mendota  and  surrounding  communities.  Early  in  1858, 
Father  Refurner  assumed  the  duties  of  Father  Anthony,  carrying  on  the 
missionary  activity  in  this  locality. 

In  the  summer  of  1858,  Father  J.  P.  Murphy  was  assigned  as  the 
first  resident  pastor  of  St.  Mary's.  Plans  for  a  new  church  were  made 
and  the  foundation  laid  in  that  year.  In  1859  the  church  was  com- 
pleted and  occupied  by  the  parish.  It  was  a  frame  building  located  at 
the  south  end  of  Sixth  Avenue. 

Although  the  old  St.  Mary's  Church  (Irish  Catholic)  was  re- 
modeled and  enlarged  several  times  over  the  years,  the  parish  met 
there  continuously  until  June  19,  1935,  when  the  two  parishes  were 
consolidated  and  held  services  in  the  new  Holy  Cross  Catholic  Church 
which  was  dedicated  on  that  day. 

Father  Murphy,  the  first  pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  worked  diligently  to 
raise  funds  for  the  new  church,  even  visiting  railroad  construction 
camps  and  reading  Mass  for  the  workers.  His  time  here  was  short, 
however,  as  he  passed  away  early  in  1860. 

No  pastor  was  definitely  assigned  to  St.  Mary's  until  the  advent 
of  Father  J.  P.  Fitzpatrick  in  August,  1861.  In  the  interim,  St.  Mary's 
was  again  served  by  visiting  priests  out  of  Aurora  and  other  points, 
among  them  being  Father  Michael  Clark  of  Amboy. 

Father  Fitzpatrick  remained  as  pastor  until  March,  1863,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  Father  James  Maher  who  died  after  only  one  month 
of  service.  From  March  29  to  May  6,  pending  the  appointment  of  a 
successor,  Father  M.  O'Sullivan  of  Aurora  administered  to  members 
of  the  parish. 

Father  Thomas  O'Farrell  was  the  next  pastor  and  remained  until 
September,  1876.  He  was  not  only  pastor  of  St.  Mary's,  but  also 
administered  to  the  needs  of  the  Catholics  east  of  Mendota,  in  and 
around  Earlville,  saying  Mass  in  private  homes  there,  and  later  in  the 
town  hall.  During  his  pastorate  here,  he  built  a  church  at  Arlington 
for  the  people  of  that  community. 

Father  M.  Heafy  served  as  pastor  from  September,  1876  to  April, 
1888.  During  his  administration,  St.  Mary's  Parochial  School  was 
built  on  the  lot  one  block  north  of  the  church,  at  the  corner  of  Sixth 
Avenue  and  Second  Street.  The  school  was  conducted  by  the  Sisters 
of  Mercy  from  Ottawa.  Also  while  here,  he  built  St.  Teresa's  Church 
at  Earlville. 

In  May,  1888,  Father  P.  Sheedy  took  over  the  parish  and  continued 
as  pastor  until  September,  1897,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Utica. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


107 


Father  James  T.  Heaney,  who  came  to  St.  Mary's  in  1898,  re- 
mained as  pastor  for  nearly  20  years.  While  here  he  also  had  Earlville 
and  Leland  under  his  charge.  He  remodeled  and  decorated  the  church 
at  Earlville  and  also  established  a  new  parish  at  Dimmick. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Father  Heaney,  St.  Mary's  Parochial 
School  was  abandoned  because  of  lack  of  pupils  and  sufficient  funds 
to  carry  on.  The  building  was  later  demolished.  Also  during  this 
time  Father  Heaney  procured  assistants  to  aid  him  with  his  work  in 
the  new  parishes  out  of  Mendota. 

Having  an  assistant  pastor  here  meant  the  need  for  a  larger  rec- 
tory, so  a  new  building  was  erected  for  this  purpose  in  1898.  The 
church  was  also  remodeled  and  enlarged  a  few  years  later. 

Rev.  William  J.  Cleary  succeeded  Father  Heaney  in  1917  and 
remained  as  pastor  here  until  May  20,  1919. 

Rev.  H.  Vincent  O'Brien  was  the  next  pastor  and  remained  until 
the  amalgamation  of  the  two  parishes  and  the  erection  of  the  new 
Holy  Cross  Parish  in  May,  1931.  During  his  pastorate,  he  also  re- 
modeled and  enlarged  the  church  at  Dimmick. 

The  first  priest  ordained  from  St.  Mary's  was  Father  Thomas 
Daniel  Coyne,  CM.,  who  was  ordained  on  June  9,  1911.  Later,  Father 
James  McDonald,  C.S.C.,  was  ordained  on  June  27,  1924,  and  cele- 
brated his  first  Solemn  Mass  in  the  church  on  June  29  of  that  year. 


The  old  Holy  Cross  Parish  (German  Catholic)  traces  its  earliest 
beginnings  back  to  the  period  1852  to  1854  when  visiting  priests 
administered  to  the  needs  of  the  German  speaking  Catholics  in  this 
area.  It  was  hoped  that  when  St.  Mary's  Church  was  built  in  1859 
that  the  German  speaking  people  would  naturally  affiliate  with  this 
parish.  However,  the  fast  increasing  German  population,  the  desire 
to  continue  the  German  language,  and  the  desire  to  establish  a  church 
on  the  west  side,  inspired  this  group  to  maintain  another  parish. 

Accordingly,  visiting  priests  continued  to  say  Mass  in  homes  and 
in  some  business  locations,  at  one  time  in  a  frame  building  on  Washing- 
ton Street. 

The  Church  of  the  Holy  Cross  was  first  organized  in  the  old  school 
house,  about  1858,  with  17  families  as  members  of  the  parish.  The 
organizing  priest  was  Father  Murphy  who  had  also  organized  the 
Irish  Catholics  (St.  Mary's)  in  1854. 

In  1859  a  new  public  school  was  built  in  Library  Park,  and  its 
predecessor,  a  long  narrow  frame  building,  was  purchased  by  the 
German    Catholics    of    the    community.      The    old    school    house   was 


108         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


moved  to  the  rear  of  the  present  Holy  Cross  lot,  parallel  to  the  alley 
facing  west  on  Michigan  Avenue,  to  be  used  as  a  church. 

From  1859  to  1861,  visiting  priests  held  services  in  this  church, 
among  them  being  Father  Fasbender  of  Peru,  and  Father  Michael 
Clark  of  Amboy. 

The  first  Holy  Cross  Parochial  School  was  established  in  the  late 
50's  in  a  building  located  at  what  is  now  1002  North  Main  Street.  It 
was  taught  by  a  man  schoolmaster,  strict  and  somewhat  harsh,  as  was 
the  custom  of  the  period. 

Late  in  1861,  Father  T.  Westkamp  became  the  first  resident  pastor 
of  the  Holy  Cross  Parish.  A  frame  house  two  doors  west  of  the  present 
church  on  Jefferson  Street  was  used  as  the  Rectory. 

Shortly  after  becoming  pastor,  Father  Westkamp  set  plans  to 
build  a  larger  church  to  accommodate  the  fast-growing  parish.  Al- 
though the  building  was  started  in  1863,  the  Civil  War  was  then  in 
progress,  and  the  work  was  slow. 

Two  valued  employees  —  Peter  Reichardt  and  Michael  Riegel 
—  were  drafted  into  the  Union  Army,  but  it  is  known  that  a  Mr. 
Schneck,  a  Mr.  Kortic,  Mr.  Henry  Zolper  I,  and  Mr.  Gerhardt  Yohn 
worked  on  the  construction. 

However,  the  new  church  was  sufficiently  completed  for  occupancy 
late  in  1864.  While  the  plastering  was  not  done  until  1868,  it  was 
dedicated  in  1864.  It  was  a  large  brick  structure,  costing  about  $8,000, 
which  was  quite  a  big  sum  for  a  church  in  those  years,  with  Father 
Cronaur  as  priest. 

The  old  Main  Street  Parochial  School,  which  had  been  transferred 
into  the  old  church  building,  was  moved  to  the  rear  of  the  new  edifice 
and  established  as  a  school.  The  Sisters  of  St.  Francis  of  Joliet  were 
placed  in  charge. 

About  1870  the  building  was  moved  to  the  site  of  the  present 
school  to  make  room  for  an  addition  to  the  Church.  A  circular  sanctu- 
ary was  added  to  the  Church.  The  building  was  later  used  as  a  resi- 
dence but  has  since  been  sold  and  moved. 

Father  Westkamp  was  succeeded  by  Father  X.  Nigh,  who  re- 
mained in  charge  until  the  spring  of  1867.  Father  Edward  Hermann 
was  appointed  in  charge  of  the  parish  in  June,  1867  and  remained 
until  April,  1870.  Father  Leander  Shaffner  was  then  sent  to  Holy 
Cross  and  served  until  February,  1871  when  Father  Hermann  returned 
and  remained  until  September,  1871.  He  was  succeeded  by  Father  C. 
T.  Neiderberger  from  October,  1871  until  September,  1875;  Father 
Wagner  from  September,  1875  until  the  summer  of  1876.  Father 
Justin  Cronauer  became  Pastor  in  August,   1876  and   served  contin- 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         109 


uously  for  a  period  of  nearly  25  years,  passing  away  while  Pastor,  on 
May  2,  1900. 

In  May,  1900,  Rev.  Hugo  Tholen  was  appointed  and  served  until 
October,  1911.  During  his  pastorate,  the  Franciscan  Sisters  from 
Milwaukee  assumed  the  care  of  the  pupils  of  Holy  Cross  School. 

Father  Edward  Jacobs  succeeded  Father  Tholen  in  the  fall  of 
1911.  During  his  pastorate,  the  present  brick  Holy  Cross  School 
Building  was  erected  in  1913  on  the  present  location  with  living 
quarters  for  the  Sisters  in  the  school  building.  At  the  opening  of  the 
new  school,  the  Dominican  Sisters  from  Springfield,  Illinois,  assumed 
direction  of  the  pupils  enrolled  and  this  Order  of  splendid  teachers  has 
been  maintained  in  charge  of  Holy  Cross  School  up  to  the  present  date. 

In  May,  1921,  Father  Jacobs,  who  was  in  failing  health,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Father  W.  F.  Selk,  who  remained  as  Pastor  until  the  amal- 
gamation of  the  two  former  parishes  and  the  erection  of  the  new 
Holy  Cross  Church  in  May,  1931. 


Father  Leo  J.  Wissing  was  appointed  Pastor  of  the  new  amalga- 
mated parish  and  on  December  14,  1947  was  elevated  to  a  Very 
Reverend  Monsignor. 

The  following  Priests  have  been  ordained  from  this  Parish: 
Rev.  Dominic  A.  Konen,  Rev.  Leo  P.  Henkel,  Rev.  Leo  L.  Henkel, 
Rev.  Victor  C.  Henkel,  Rev.  James  MacDonald,  Rev.  Thomas  D. 
Coyne,  Rev.  Dale  Kratz,  Rev.  Vincent  Fitzgerald,  O.M.I.,  Rev.  Leo 
Joerger,  S.V.D.,  Rev.  Dale  Maloy. 

The  following  have  entered  the  Convent:  Sr.  M.  Scholastica 
Weber,  O.S.F.,  deceased;  Sr.  M.  Anicia  Reckinger,  O.S.F.;  S.  M. 
Victorine  Bromenschenkel,  O.S.F.;  Sr.  M.  Madeleine  Henkel,  O.S.B.; 
Sr,  M.  Agnetis  Frey,  O.S.B.;  Sr.  M.  Edmund  Boyle,  O.S.B.;  Sr.  M. 
Regis  Sondgeroth,  O.P.;  Sr.  M.  Verona  Schmitt,  O.S.B.;  Sr.  M. 
Thomas  More  Fitzgerald,  O.P.;  Sr.  M.  Dominic  Joerger,  O.P.;  Sr.  M. 
Blaise  Galloway,  O.P.;  Sr.  M.  Emerick,  O.P.;  Sr.  M.  Concepta  Joerger, 
O.P. 


There  hung  in  the  old  St.  Mary's  Catholic  church  a  beautiful 
painting  "Christ  Delivering  the  Keys  to  Peter,"  painted  by  Miss  Ella 
Corbus,  artist.  This  was  won  by  D.  C.  Wright  in  a  drawing.  A  group 
of  adherents  tried  to  buy  the  picture  for  the  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wright  wouldn't  sell  it  but  donated  it  to  the  church  in  July,  1879. 
The  historic  painting  has  been  preserved  and  now  hangs  in  the  music 
room  at  Holy  Cross  school. 


110         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

the  first  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  on  August  26, 
1855  in  the  old  school  house  located  in  Library  Park.  The  first  five 
charter  members  were:  William  Smith,  James  McDowell,  Anna  J. 
Smith,  Hannah  B.  Fisk,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Scullen. 

Organization  of  the  new  church  was  completed  by  Rev.  C.  R. 
Fisk  of  the  Chicago  Presbytery,  and  Rev.  John  Fleming,  Presbyterian 
missionary  for  this  area. 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  James  S.  Henderson  who  came  to  Men- 
dota  in  June,  1856,  and  remained  until  1861  when  his  death  occurred. 

When  the  church  was  first  organized  the  congregation  worshipped 
in  the  old  school  house  for  a  short  time  and  then  later  in  Library  Hall. 

In  1856,  they  built  a  house  of  worship  at  the  corner  of  Fifth 
Street  and  Tenth  Avenue  on  lots  donated  by  T.  B.  Blackstone.  This 
was  a  frame  building  with  steeple  costing  about  S3, 500  and  seating 
about  350  persons. 

On  June  23,  1866,  19  members  were  received  from  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church  which  had  disbanded  their  organization  and 
shortly  after  sold  their  church  building. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  had  been  organized  in  1857 
under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Barrett.  They  built  a  small  church  on  the 
East  Side  and  conducted  services  in  the  building  until  they  united  with 
the  First  Presbyterians.  The  former  church  building  was  sold  to  the 
Universalist  Society. 

Prior  to  November,  1866,  an  extension  of  24  feet  had  been  added 
to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  making  an  addition  of  24  pews. 

Records  show  that  the  early  Presbyterians  were  very  strict  con- 
cerning church  attendance  and  personal  conduct.  Members  were  called 
before  the  session  for  non-attendance,  and  one  of  the  rules  of  the  Order 
of  Business  was  the  receiving  of  absentee  excuses.  Resolutions  were 
also  passed  against  participation  in  worldly  amusements,  especially 
promiscuous  dancing. 

On  Saturday  morning,  October  23,  1897,  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  building  was  burned  to  the  ground.  Immediately  after  the 
destruction  of  the  building,  several  churches  and  organizations  came 
forward  offering  the  use  of  their  buildings.  The  invitation  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  accepted  and  services  held  there  the 
following  Sunday  by  Rev.  Theodore  Allen. 

Later  it  was  decided  to  hold  the  church  and  Christian  Endeavor 
meetings  in  the  Opera  House  and  the  prayer  meetings  in  the  homes  of 
members  until  a  new  church  could  be  built. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         111 


As  soon  as  the  insurance  could  be  adjusted  and  the  amount  of 
$3,070  received  for  the  loss,  a  congregational  meeting  was  called  on 
November  15  to  make  plans  for  a  new  building.  On  March  24,  plans 
for  the  structure  were  approved  by  the  church. 

The  present  church  was  completed  and  dedicated  on  the  site  of  the 
old  church  on  December  18,  1898,  with  services  lasting  the  entire  day. 

In  1907  the  old  pipe  organ,  which  had  been  reconditioned  after 
going  through  the  fire,  was  sold  and  replaced  by  a  handsome  Estey 
pipe  organ. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  G.  A.  Pollock  a  fine  manse  of  12 
rooms  was  erected  on  the  adjoining  lot  in  1876. 

Pastors  who  have  served  the  church  are  James  S.  Henderson  1855- 
1861;  R.  C.  Colmery  1861-1869;  R.  C.  Swinton  1869-1870;  S.  W. 
Weller  1871-1876;  N.  S.  Dickey  1876-1877;  G.  A.  Pollock  1878-1891; 
T.  H.  Allen  1891-1906;  Stado  A.  Muneke  1907-1910;  F.  O.  Hellier 
1910-1913;  J.  A.  G.  Waits  1913-1920;  J.  T.  Hood  1920-1923;  A.  M. 
Eells  1923-1925;  W.  B.  Townsend  1925-1929;  E.  B.  Landis  1930-1934; 
J.  W.  Goodpasture  1934-1942;  G.  F.  Shepherd  1942-1945;  A.  W. 
Rideout  1945-1946;  Wilbert  E.  Hare  1946  to  present. 


ST.  JOHN'S  EVANGELICAL 
LUTHERAN  CHURCH 

KNOWN  then  AS  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  this  congregation 
first  assembled  in  the  spring  of  1858  in  a  public  hall,  with  35  members. 
Rev.  Hildebrand  who  represented  settlers  from  Saxe-Coburg  and  Resse- 
Darmstadt  in  Germany,  was  the  pastor.  In  the  year  following  the 
corner  lot  now  occupied  by  the  church  was  given  by  T.  Blackstone. 
A  small  church  was  built,  which  gave  way  in  1867  for  a  larger  edifice, 
the  old  church  being  used  as  a  church  school. 

Among  the  organizers  and  early  members  of  the  church  were: 
Daniel  Meisenbach,  Fred  Larck,  Simon  Schuetz,  J.  Jacob,  Nick  Eckert, 
Frank  Meisenbach,  William  Faust,  F.  Stief,  Peter  Kreis,  C.  Fischer, 
William  Schultz,  Henry  Oettinger,  Karl  Zapf,  George  Friedrich,  George 
P.  Reichardt,  Paul  Faber,  Dietrich  Volk,  N.  Holland,  Jacob  Fritz, 
Jacob  Schneller,  J.  N.  Gross,  Casper  Ruedy,  Fred  Bieser,  J.  G.  Fischer, 
Max  A.  F.  Haass,  George  Marr,  Fred  Wilhelm,  Ludwig  Scheidenhelm, 
Emil  Haass,  J.  Theuer,  J.  Keil,  and  John  Hartan. 

112         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


The  first  officers  of  record  were  Daniel  Meisenbach,  president; 
Jacob  Fritz,  secretary;  and  Mr.  Braeuning,  treasurer. 

The  early  members  were  greatly  interested  in  maintaining  a  Ger- 
man school,  which  flourished  until  German  was  made  a  regular  course 
of  study  in  Blackstone  school  in  1874. 

Largely  through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  Bredow,  of  Dubuque,  Iowa, 
a  pioneer  of  the  Iowa  Synod,  the  congregation  affiliated  with  that  synod 
in  1866.    The  Lutheran  cemetery  was  platted  in  1866. 

The  church  was  remodeled  and  greatly  enlarged  in  1895,  and  in 
1903  the  present  parsonage  was  built. 

Services  were  preached  in  German  until  1912,  when  regular  serv- 
ices in  English  were  introduced.  Services  were  conducted  in  both 
languages  until  about  a  decade  ago. 

Adjoining  property  was  bought  in  1931,  and  in  1933  the  modern 
parish  house  was  erected  and  opened.  Construction  on  the  new  church 
got  under  way  and  in  1935  the  cornerstone  was  laid,  with  dedication 
on  March  29  the  following  year. 

The  present  membership  comprises  960  confirmed,  1250  baptized, 
and  319  enrolled  in  Sunday  school. 

The  church  looks  forward  to  its  Centennial  in  1958. 

The  pastors  who  have  served  over  the  years:  Pastors  Hildebrand, 
Schaefer  and  Werner  in  succession  from  1858-1861;  Th.  Borsch  1862- 
1863;  Chr.  Ganz  1863-1865;  J.  Schmeiser  1865-1866;  J.  Haeckel  1866- 
1869;  L.  Nabholz  substituted  for  several  months;  J.  G.  Ade  1869-1877; 
Fr.  Hempelmann  1877-1879;  Fr.  Richter  1879-1894;  Carl  Proehl  1894- 
1914;  F.  H.  Voelker  1912-1923;  A.  W.  Engelbrecht  1924-1947;  Ger- 
hardt  Doerman  1947-1949;  Albert  Heidmann  1949  to  present. 


EVANGELICAL  UNITED 
BRETHREN  CHURCH 

the  evangelical  united  brethren  church  represents  the  con- 
solidation of  two  of  Mendota's  oldest  churches  —  the  Zion  Evangelical 
Church  established  in  1867,  and  the  United  Brethren  Church  which 
was  organized  in  1875. 

The  earliest  beginning  of  this  church  dates  back  to  1862  when  the 
pastor  of  the  Perkins  Grove  German  Evangelical  Circuit,  and  his  assist- 
ant, Rev.  C.  Gagstatter,  began  holding  preaching  services  in  Mendota. 
They  continued  this  work  until   1867,  when  the  German  Evangelical 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         113 


Church  was  organized  here  with  16  members,  and  Rev.  M.  Stamm 
installed  as  local  pastor. 

For  the  first  year  following  organization,  the  congregation  held 
services  in  the  old  school  house  and  later  in  private  homes. 

In  1868,  a  new  church  edifice  was  erected  at  the  corner  of  Jefferson 
Street  and  Indiana  Avenue,  the  present  location  of  the  consolidated 
church.  It  was  dedicated  as  the  Zion  Evangelical  Church  on  October 
18  with  Bishop  Esher,  officiating.  The  building  was  Gothic  style,  34  by 
52  feet,  surmounted  by  a  neat  tower. 

The  entire  cost  of  the  building  and  grounds  was  $5,700.  At  that 
time  the  congregation  had  only  20  members,  so  the  fact  that  they  raised 
$4,000  to  pay  for  the  building  and  sustain  a  minister  is  worthy  of 
special  mention  here. 

The  first  Board  of  Trustees  consisted  of  J.  Nicolai,  Enos  Stark, 
M.  Hauch,  Moses  Eby,  and  P.  Benter.  The  second  pastor  was  Rev.  J. 
G.  Kleinknecht  who  succeeded  Rev.  Stamm  shortly  after  the  new  church 
was  built. 

Over  the  years  the  congregation  enjoyed  a  steady  growth  and 
toward  the  end  of  the  century  found  that  the  church  building  was  too 
small.  In  1900,  a  new  edifice  was  erected  on  the  same  site  and  this 
building  is  still  used  by  the  congregation  today.  The  present  parsonage 
was  built  in  1906. 

In  1946,  the  Evangelical  and  United  Brethren  churches  were 
merged  and  the  church  became  known  as  the  Evangelical  United 
Brethren. 

In  1949,  extensive  repairs  were  made  to  the  church  building,  the 
chancel  was  changed  and  a  new  electronic  organ  installed. 

The  present  Trustee  Board  is  composed  of  E.  G.  Feik,  K.  N.  Erbes, 
Amos  Buck,  Elmer  Maus  and  Lloyd  Doenier. 

Ministers  who  have  served  the  church  from  the  beginning  are: 
Rev.  M.  Stamm,  Rev.  J.  G.  Kleinknecht,  Rev.  W.  Strassburger,  Rev.  J. 
Kurtz,  Rev.  A.  Knobel,  Rev.  I.  Kuter,  Rev.  C.  Lindeman,  Rev.  J. 
Himmel,  Rev.  J.  Schaefle,  Rev.  W.  Goessele,  Rev.  A.  W.  Strickfaden, 
Rev.  J.  J.  Lintner,  Rev.  W.  C.  Frey,  Rev.  A.  J.  Boelter,  Rev.  J.  B. 
Elf  rink,  Rev.  Ph.  Beuscher,  Rev.  E.  Burgi,  Rev.  J.  G.  Schwab,  Rev.  H. 
B.  SchaefTer,  Rev.  G.  W.  Engelter,  Rev.  E.  G.  Vaubel,  Rev.  W.  A. 
Stauffer,  Rev.  John  F.  Schaefer,  Rev.  R.  A.  Render,  Rev.  W.  J.  Dauner, 
Rev.  W.  A.  Giese  and  Rev.  F.  J.  Unger. 

The  United  Brethren  Church,  which  is  part  of  the  Evangelical 
United  Brethren  Church  today,  was  organized  in  1875  with  nine 
members.    The  members  of  the  first  congregation  were:    Daniel  Fahler 


114 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


and  wife,  A.  Shouk  and  wife,  J.  and  Mrs.  Billings,  Archey  Williams, 
and  Rev.  U.  D.  Wood  and  wife. 

The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Designer,  who  remained  until 
the  autumn  of  1876,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  Wendle.  At 
that  time  the  church  had  a  membership  of  about  50  persons,  and  a 
Sunday  School  of  over  100  scholars. 

When  it  was  first  organized,  the  United  Brethren  purchased  the 
church  occupied  by  the  Universalist  Society  when  that  group  was  dis- 
banded. The  church  building  of  the  United  Brethren  was  later  sold 
to  a  private  party  and  taken  down. 


ADVENT  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH 

ON  A  mendota  city  map  which  bears  the  date  of  1874  is  shown  a 
church  building  with  the  words  "Luth.  Church".  The  date  of  erection 
of  the  building  is  not  shown  but  is  believed  to  have  been  erected  prior 
to  1870.  It  was  owned  by  the  organization  which  operated  it  as  a  place 
of  worship  by  the  Wartburg  Seminary  for  their  faculty  and  students. 
At  that  time  the  Seminary  occupied  a  large  three-story  and  basement 
building  on  the  site  of  the  present  high  school.  Shortly  before  1892 
both  the  seminary  and  the  church  were  left  vacant  by  the  removal  of 
the  seminary  to  Dubuque. 

Sometime  during  1892  both  the  seminary  building  and  the  vacant 
Lutheran  church  on  Illinois  avenue  were  purchased  by  the  Advent 
Christian  denomination,  the  former  to  be  used  as  a  college  and  the 
latter  as  a  church  for  the  faculty  and  students  of  the  newly  established 
"Mendota  College". 

When  purchased  by  the  Adventists  the  church  building  consisted 
of  a  single-room  frame  structure,  without  basement.  The  limestone 
foundation  walls  extended  but  a  few  inches  above  the  ground  level. 
The  building  was  heated  by  two  large  "cannonball"  stoves  placed  near 
the  entrance,  with  long  stove  pipes  leading  well  toward  the  pulpit  end 
of  the  church,  into  two  brick  chimneys  one  on  either  side  of  the  struc- 
ture. Oil-burning  bracket  lamps  furnished  the  only  light  for  the  build- 
ing at  night.  The  windows  were  of  the  rectangular  variety  with  square 
tops,  glazed  with  small  clear-glass  panes. 

As  originally  erected  the  building  had  a  tall  pointed  steeple, 
beneath  which  was  a  very  fine  bell.     The  seating  of  the  auditorium 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         115 


consisted  of  straight-backed  walnut  pews.  Before  the  building  was 
purchased  by  the  Adventists,  both  the  bell  and  the  walnut  pews  had 
been  removed.  To  remove  the  bell  a  large  hole  was  cut  in  the  ceiling 
of  the  "vestibule"  of  the  church,  which  was  still  open  when  taken  over 
by  the  new  congregation. 

Soon  after  the  purchase  the  Adventists  made  extensive  repairs 
and  purchased  new  seating  for  the  auditorium.  The  first  preaching 
service  was  held  on  April  23,  1893. 

During  the  year  of  1904  the  foundation  was  raised  and  a  portion 
of  the  basement  excavated  to  accommodate  a  heating  plant.  At  the 
same  time  an  addition  was  erected  to  the  north  of  the  original  building, 
affording  an  additional  assembly  room  and  two  Sunday  school  class 
rooms.  As  a  part  of  the  improvement  the  ceilings  of  the  main  auditori- 
um were  raised  and  new  lighting  fixtures  installed  combining  electricity 
and  gas-burning  fixtures.  A  new  and  higher  pulpit  was  erected  in  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  auditorium.  The  windows  were  changed  to  the 
present  gothic  topped  frames  and  glazed  with  cathedral  glass. 

The  church  was  again  remodeled  and  enlarged  in  1921,  increasing 
the  number  of  rooms  to  14  including  the  two  assembly  rooms.  Base- 
ment rooms  were  excavated  and  cemented  and  a  cement  baptistry  con- 
structed. 


COLLEGE  MOVED  TO  AURORA 

The  removal  of  the  college  to  Aurora  and  the  combination  of  the 
weekly  denomination  paper  Our  Hope  with  the  denominational  paper 
published  in  Boston,  made  material  inroads  in  the  membership  of  the 
church  and  in  the  size  of  the  congregation,  from  which  the  church  has 
not  fully  recovered. 

Through  a  number  of  bequests  a  sizable  endowment  fund  has  been 
built,  which  produces  regular  income  to  combine  with  tithes  and  offer- 
ings from  members.  The  church  observes  only  the  first  day  of.  the 
week  for  services.  Mid-week  prayer  meetings  are  held  Wednesday 
evenings. 

The  roll  call  of  pastors  of  the  Advent  Christian  church  from 
1893  to  1953  includes  J.  F.  Adair,  N.  P.  Cook,  J.  August  Smith,  F. 
A.  Baker,  Andrew  Armour,  C.  F.  Ladd,  B.  Forester,  J.  M.  Dick,  G.  E. 
Cooprider,  W.  J.  Davis,  C.  H.  Woodward,  E.  F.  Hurd,  R.  L.  Peterson, 
J.  A.  Woodworth,  Eric  Lewis,  C.  A.  Sampson,  A.  W.  Brooks,  W.  Z. 
Dial,  and  the  current  pastor,  Myron  W.  Buker. 


116 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


NAZARENE  CHURCH 

some  years  ago,  the  exact  date  of  which  is  unknown,  the  North- 
western Illinois  District  of  the  Nazarene  Church  sent  an  evangelistic 
team  to  Mendota  for  the  purpose  of  conducting  a  revival  meeting  in 
this  area.  Services  were  held  in  a  tent  on  Route  34  near  the  present 
water  storage  tank. 

From  this  meeting  a  total  of  12  members  joined  the  Nazarene 
Church  and  continued  to  hold  services  in  a  store  building  near  the 
Faber  Hotel.  The  next  meeting  place  was  in  the  store  building  east  of 
the  telegraph  office. 

The  group  later  secured  a  corner  lot  at  Fourth  avenue  and  Fifth 
street  where  they  fitted  up  a  basement.  Here  they  have  held  services 
for  the  past  six  years,  pending  eventual  completion  of  their  church. 
The  Rev.  David  Van  Gunten  is  pastor. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         117 


THE  MENDOTA  THAT  ^LUMBERS 


S 


T 


here  are  many  who  find  surcease  from  life's  tempestuous 
pressures  by  wandering  quietly  through  graveyards.  They  say  they 
find  a  quiet  repose  in  reading  headstones,  looking  for  burial  places  of 
the  great  or  near-great  of  bygone  periods. 

This  is  true  of  the  Mendota  cemeteries  and  while  one  may  have 
to  search  with  some  diligence  to  find  them,  there  are  a  number  of 
interesting  epitaphs  and  inscriptions.  A  suitable  time  to  wander 
through  the  Mendota  that  Sleeps  might  be  in  the  spring,  when  the 
vast  lilac  hedge  which  borders  the  cemetery  along  the  western  bound- 
ary is  in  full  and  fragrant  bloom.  Or  in  the  autumn,  when  the  colorful 
leaves  drift  down  to  lay  nature's  own  wreath  on  the  graves  of  those 
who  have  gone  before. 

If  the  wind  is  blowing,  you  will  hear  sighs  from  the  row  of  pine 
trees  that  borders  the  cemetery  .  .  .  sighs  of  memory  for  the  many 
who  quietly  sleep  there,  some  of  them  beneath  headstones  with  death 
dates  antedating  the  establishment  of  the  cemetery  itself.  You  may 
stop  to  decipher  some  of  the  quaint,  weather-beaten  stones. 

Or  you  may  run  across  the  grave  of  one  Dan  Conklin  who  was 
an  employee  with  the  Pawnee  Bill  wild  west  circus  which  showed  in 
Mendota  in  1903.  During  a  storm  he  was  accidently  hit  with  a  falling 
tent  pole  and  killed.  The  employees  of  the  circus  erected  an  appro- 
priate headstone  to  mark  his  grave.  Conklin  had  been  a  scout  with 
John  C.  Fremont  and  Kit  Carson. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         119 


The  oldest  stone  noted  in  a  quest  through  the  cemeteries  was 
John  Connell,  who  died  in  1848  —  105  years  ago.  "We  part  to  meet 
again"  is  the  simple  inscription  on  this  stone. 

The  monument  to  the  Rev.  Nathan  Denison,  the  first  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  who  died  in  1854,  is  designed  to  represent  a  pulpit 
with  a  closed  Bible,  and  upon  that  a  closed  Psalter. 

There  is  an  interesting  inscription  on  one  side  of  a  tall  shaft 
erected  for  Willard  Graves,  who  two  years  before  his  death  in  1875 
presented  the  library  association  with  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  a 
farm  and  who  also  gave  a  deed  to  the  library  building  and  lot,  the 
entire  donation  being  valued  at  about  $6,000.  The  epitaph  says, 
simply: 

"As  I  am  now 

So  you  must  be. 

In  life  prepare 

To  follow  me" 

Another  most  interesting  stone  is  that  marking  the  grave  of 
Andrew  Ralph.  The  inscription  states  he  was  a  native  of  County  Down, 
in  Ireland,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  the  year  1818  and  who  died 
in  1852.    The  scripture  of  Mary  at  the  sepulchre  is  inscribed  thereon. 


The  wanderer  through  the  Restland  cemetery  may  be  intrigued 
with  a  comparatively  modern  stone  marking  the  grave  of  James  Curtis 
Coleman,  who  died  in  1921.  Mr.  Coleman,  a  power  company  lineman, 
lost  his  life  when  he  came  in  contact  with  a  high  tension  electric  power 
line  while  assisting  in  the  moving  of  a  building  near  Troy  Grove. 

A  design  at  the  top  of  the  stone  shows  two  power  line  poles  with 
power  lines  stretched  from  cross-bar  to  cross-bar.  One  of  the  wires 
is  broken  and  hanging  down,  signifying  death. 


The  first  burials  after  Mendota  was  founded  took  place  in  the 
area  occupied  by  the  Blackstone  school  playground.  Most  of  the 
bodies  were  afterwards  exhumed  and  transferred  to  the  Restland  ceme- 
tery. Many  of  the  earliest  residents  were  interred  on  their  own  lots, 
the  bodies  being  removed  to  the  new  cemetery  when  it  was  opened. 
An  early  history  gives  this  date  as  1856,  although  the  records  show 
that  in  June,  1865,  certain  inhabitants  of  the  town  subscribed  $25  each 
to  purchase  ten  acres  of  land  for  a  cemetery  plot.  In  the  years  since 
25  additional  acres  were  purchased. 


120         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


A  township  collector  of  the  early  1870's,  Dorsey  C.  Andress, 
gave  half  of  his  commissions  to  build  a  plank  walk  from  the  city  to 
the  cemetery.  The  walk  to  the  cemetery  was  a  favorite  pastime  in  the 
early  days. 

Many  old-timers  remember  the  band  stand  that  was  located  along 
the  main  drive.  Many  walked  to  the  cemetery  to  decorate  the  graves 
of  their  departed  ones,  then  listened  to  a  band  concert  and  speaker 
of  the  day. 


RESTLAND  SUBSCRIBERS 

The  original  subscribers  to  the  Restland  cemetery  included  Charles 
H.  Gilman,  James  Aiken,  0.  D.  F.  Conkey,  John  J.  West,  Justus  Tower, 
W.  T.  Black,  J.  C.  Corbus,  W.  Pearce,  Isaac  Ruedy,  James  Dawson, 
William  Scott,  D.  C.  Wright,  James  Kenworthy,  Posley  Stone,  G.  L. 
Blanchard,  P.  L.  Porter,  G.  Morrison,  Daniel  Fillett,  George  Johnson, 
Thomas  Imus,  J.  L.  Liscom,  John  Faulk,  Samuel  Hastings,  J.  H.  Harris, 
C.  L.  Adams,  William  Moore,  Henry  Planton,  and  G.  M.  Thayer. 

William  Gilman  was  the  first  president,  and  William  Black  was 
treasurer.  They  acted  to  see  that  fences  were  erected  around  the 
property.  Samuel  Hastings  was  appointed  treasurer  and  also  secre- 
tary, an  office  he  held  through  1902. 

In  the  early  days  the  drives  through  the  cemetery  were  called 
streets  and  alleys.  E.  P.  Cook  and  Justus  Tower  were  appointed  to 
plant  trees  and  to  make  repairs  on  the  tenant  house.  In  1887  it  was 
voted  to  move  the  old  house,  now  occupied  as  a  residence,  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  cemetery.  It  was  also  voted  to  build  a  house 
for  the  caretaker,  cost  not  to  exceed  $800. 

The  main  driveway  was  graveled  with  40  carloads  of  gravel  in 
1890.  E.  P.  Cook  was  president  and  he  held  this  position  until  his 
death. 

A  Ladies  Cemetery  Improvement  association  was  formed  in  1890 
to  improve  and  beautify  those  parts  of  the  cemetery  for  which  no 
special  provision  was  made.  Their  greatest  contribution  was  the 
beautiful  entrance  gate. 

In  1900  a  committee  comprised  of  Mrs.  E.  F.  Hempstead,  Mrs. 
T.  F.  A.  Newport,  and  Mrs.  P.  H.  Cooper,  representing  this  association, 
offered  to  pay  half  the  cost  of  having  the  cemetery  raked  and  cleared 
of  rubbish  early  each  spring.  This  was  continued  until  1906  when 
the  society  was  discontinued. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


121 


Also  in  1900  a  committee  superintended  removal  of  the  cemetery 
dwelling  to  the  southeast  corner  of  the  grounds. 

The  surviving  members  of  the  Universalist  Society  of  Mendota 
erected  a  chapel  on  the  ground  recently  occupied  by  the  cottage  as  a 
memorial  building  for  the  Universalists. 

City  water  mains  were  laid  in  the  cemetery  in  1908.  In  1911 
Bernard  Katzwinkel  took  over  as  superintendent  of  Restland  which 
continued  until  1924.  In  1927  he  was  elected  president  of  the  cemetery 
association,  an  office  he  held  until  his  death  in  1948. 

The  soldiers'  monument  standing  between  the  old  and  new  ceme- 
teries was  designed  by  Henry  Eby  and  erected  by  the  Woman's  Relief 
Corps,  which  disbanded  in  the  late  1920's. 

The  number  of  graves  in  Restland  is  estimated  to  be  7,000. 
*         *         •* 

The  Lutheran  cemetery  was  begun  in  December,  1866,  when  at 
a  cost  of  $200  two  acres  were  purchased  from  Willard  Graves.  The 
deed  was  made  to  Casper  Fischer,  Peter  Kreis,  George  Hafner,  Simon 
Schuetz,  and  Nicholas  Eckert,  trustees  of  the  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Lutheran  church  of  Mendota. 


St.  Mary's  Catholic  cemetery  was  established  about  1876,  when 
the  first  registration  of  burial  was  John  Skeffington. 

The  German  Catholic  cemetery,  containing  three  acres,  was  deeded 
to  Rt.  Rev.  James  Duggan,  Bishop  of  Chicago  and  his  successors  in 
office,  on  March  20,  1895.  Holy  Cross  church,  Mendota,  with  the 
permission  of  Rt.  Rev.  John  L.  Spalding,  Bishop  of  Peoria,  consecrated 
this  cemetery.  Sponsors  were  John  Goedtner,  Michael  Leffleman, 
George  Burkart,  and  Joseph  Fritz. 

Holy  Cross  and  St.  Mary's  cemeteries  were  amalgamated  and 
incorporated  in  State  of  Illinois  under  the  title  of  Holy  Cross  Cemetery 
association  of  Mendota,  on  January  8,  1942. 


122         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


ODGING  FOR  THE  NIGHT 


I  f  YOU  had  been  a  youngster  in  Mendota  just  before  the  turn  of 
the  century  you  would  have  been  awed  by  the  presence  of  a  somewhat 
fearful,  tumble-down  building  at  about  Fifth  street  east  of  the  rail- 
road tracks.  It  was  said  to  be  haunted.  The  steps  were  rotted  out 
and  the  doors  hung  askew  on  a  single  hinge.  Bats  took  over  the  third 
floor  and  only  the  bravest  of  the  children  ventured  to  explore  the 
interior. 

The  building  had  lately  been  the  domicile  of  some  of  the  town's 
poorer  families,  who  had  moved  in  claiming  squatter's  rights.  But  its 
decadent  and  sieve-like  condition  had  been  too  much,  even  for  them. 

This  rotting  hulk  was  all  that  remained  of  a  once  glorious  hotel, 
famous  in  Mendota's  early  history.  It  was  one  of  the  earliest  inns, 
known  as  the  Wheeler  House.  The  word  "House"  seemed  to  have 
been  the  grand  term  of  the  era,  used  so  frequently  to  designate  Men- 
dota hostelries. 

Few  facts  remain  today  about  the  Wheeler  House,  but  one  account 
states  that  September  20,  1866,  F.  G.  Krueger,  one  of  Mendota's  first 
settlers,  had  returned  from  Europe  to  open  a  new  hotel  in  a  large 
building  on  Railroad  street,  lately  known  as  the  Wheeler  House.  "No 
liquor  will  be  kept  and  it  will  be  known  as  the  Great  Western  Hotel," 
the  account  stated. 

Railroad  street  was  the  street  that  extends  along  the  east  side  of 
the  railroad  tracks,  south  from  Sixth  street.  The  hotel  stood  about  a 
block  south  of  what  is  now  the  Mendota  Trouser  factory.  It  was  a 
three-story  frame  structure  with  a  huge  veranda  running  across  the 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         123 


front  of  the  building.  The  doors  opened  directly  into  the  foyer  and 
the  stairway  wound  its  way  up  the  three  flights  from  the  center  of  the 
building. 

The  Great  Western  Hotel  was  the  stopping  place  for  families  of 
immigrants  who  traveled  in  wagons  en  route  to  Iowa  and  Minnesota. 

*       *       * 

What  was  probably  Mendota's  first  hotel  was  erected  during  the 
summer  of  1853  by  John  Kelly.  He  named  it  The  Mendota  House. 
It  stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Sixth  street  where  the  Star  gas 
station  is  now  located.  Kelly  ran  this  establishment  for  two  years 
and  then  sold  to  a  Mrs.  Shedd.  The  Mendota  House  was  by  far  the 
best  known  and  remembered  early  hostelry. 

Here,  early  settlers  could  get  room  and  board.  If  the  family 
came  along,  a  suite  of  sorts  could  be  rented.  These  suites  were  parti- 
tioned off  with  curtains  that  could  hardly  be  called  sound-proof,  but 
the  curtains  provided  a  privacy  of  sorts. 

The  Mendota  House  was  also  the  favorite  hotel  for  the  farmers 
who  came  to  the  city  from  nearby  villages  and  farms  to  do  their  trading 
and  to  have  their  grain  ground  at  the  flour  mills.  These  trips  usually 
took  more  than  a  day  and  the  Mendota  House  was  their  stopping  place. 

An  unsupported  legend  has  it  that  Abraham  Lincoln  slept  here 
one  night  on  one  of  his  trips  to  Northern  Illinois. 

There  is  another  story,  about  Mrs.  Lincoln,  that  is  of  passing 
interest.  Mrs.  Lincoln  had  a  friend  who  lived  in  Mendota.  The  friend 
was  proud  of  the  acquaintance,  and  whenever  she  had  a  letter  from 
Mrs.   Lincoln  the  entire  neighborhood  quickly  knew  of  its  contents. 

One  day  the  friend  of  Mrs.  Lincoln  was  all  agog.  Her  latest  letter 
contained  word  from  Mrs.  Lincoln  "that  if  she  didn't  go  to  Europe 
that  summer  she  would  come  to  Mendota  to  visit."  Europe  must  have 
won  out.  The  neighbors  heard  no  more  of  the  proposed  visit  and 
Mrs.  Lincoln  was  never  seen  in  Mendota. 


TRAGEDY  IN  THE  NIGHT 

Tragedy  struck  the  Mendota  House  on  the  30th  of  May  in  1866. 
A  stranger  from  Indiana,  one  Herman  Holm,  was  stricken  in  the  hotel 
with  a  severe  seizure.  Dr.  Edwards  was  summoned,  and  after  ques- 
tioning the  patient  learned  that  he  had  taken  what  he  had  thought  to 
be  powdered  charcoal,  a  favorite  dyspepsia  remedy  of  the  time.  The 
powder  turned  out  to  be  "horse  antimony,"  a  potion  he  had  purchased 
in  Chicago.    All  medical  arts  availed  nought,  and  he  died  the  same 


124 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


evening.    His  father  came  from  Indiana  to  claim  the  remains  to  take 
back  home  for  burial  along  the  banks  of  the  Wabash. 

The  hotel  was  abandoned  in  the  final  years  of  the  old  century. 
It  had  served  its  purpose  and  other  and  larger  hotels  were  here  to 
take  its  place. 

*  *       * 

There  were  many  hotels  in  the  first  few  years  of  Mendota's  exist- 
ence. Some  of  them  didn't  last  very  long.  Such  a  one  was  Reed's 
Hotel  and  Lamb's  Hotel,  standing  side  by  side.  Both  met  an  inglorious 
end  by  burning  in  1862. 

Then  there  was  a  Valley  House  which  stood  on  the  corner  of 
Jefferson  and  Illinois  streets.     It  was  run  by  George  Frey. 

Another  was  the  Traveller's  Home,  on  east  Sixth  street.  Also  on 
the  east  side  of  the  tracks  was  the  Railroad  House  with  rooms  to  be 
had  at  $1.50  a  day,  board  included. 

The  Warner  House  which  burned  in  the  big  fire  of  1871  was 
rebuilt  the  following  year.  This  hotel  still  stands.  After  passing  through 
various  ownerships  it  was  remodeled  in  the  early  30's  by  James  Ellis 
and  named  the  Ellis  Hotel,  now  operated  by  J.  E.  King. 

Another  early  inn  was  the  Eagle  Hotel.  By  1860  it  had  already 
degenerated  to  a  mere  tenement  and  considered  an  old  building.  It 
was  badly  damaged  in  the  New  Year's  eve  fire  of  1868. 

In  1870  the  Gilson  Hotel  opened  its  doors  to  the  public.  This 
stood  on  the  corner  of  Railroad  and  Sixth  streets.  The  hotel  was 
taken  over  in  1873  by  R.  B.  Potter  and  renamed  the  St.  James  Hotel. 
This  was  a  popular  place  for  traveling  men,  and  it  is  said  that  when 
Mr.  Potter  took  it  over  he  refitted  and  refurnished  the  place  through- 
out. This  hotel  later  became  the  Illinois  Hotel,  and  was  operated  for 
many  years  by  Kate  Sacks. 

Then  there  was  the  Pohl  hotel  built  by  G.  Pohl  in  about  1854. 
It  was  called  the  German  House  and  ran  until  1867  when  it  was  re- 
moved to  make  room  for  a  new  brick  building. 

The  Humboldt  House  was  built  and  operated  by  John  Hess  on  the 
lot  just  north  of  Virgil's  shoe  repair  shop. 

*  *       * 

The  Germania  Hotel  was  another  early  hotel.  It  was  a  two-story 
frame  structure  located  north  of  the  present  Virgil  Shoe  Repair  shop. 
It  was  operated  by  George  and  Adam  Frey.  Some  of  the  permanent 
guests  were  employees  of  the  Henning  Brewery,  and  old-timers  remem- 
ber these  men  with  their  high  leather  boots.  About  1889,  when  most  of 
the  members  of  the  Mendota  fire  company  were  attending  a  firemen's 
tournament  at  Clinton,  Illinois,  fire  broke  out.    The  volunteer  firemen 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         125 


remaining  in  town  had  considerable  trouble  in  keeping  the  fire  under 
control.  Some  of  the  second  story  guests  made  their  escape  by  grasp- 
ing an  iron  pipe  that  carried  the  hotel  signboard,  thus  swinging  to 
safety  on  the  ground. 

The  early  hotel  keepers  had  their  share  of  excitement.  Something 
was  always  happening  to  make  the  news  headlines,  John  Zullich,  who 
was  boarding  at  the  Humboldt  House  run  by  John  Hess  was  attacked 
by  a  stranger  one  night  in  September,  1863.  The  assailant  was  thought 
to  have  aroused  himself  from  his  sleep  on  the  hay  in  the  barn  back  of 
the  hotel  to  commit  the  deed.  The  dying  John  Zullich  was  questioned 
but  he  knew  of  no  motive  and  could  only  tell  the  authorities  that  the 
man  had  struck  him  a  heavy  blow  and  departed  quickly.  Zullich  died 
that  day  and  the  mystery  has  never  been  solved. 


For  many  years  the  pride  of  Mendota's  inns  was  the  depot  hotel. 
Its  real  name  was  the  Illinois  Central  Hotel,  but  it  was  more  commonly 
known  simply  as  the  "Passenger  House".  This  hotel  was  erected  during 
the  winter  of  1853  and  1854  and  opened  its  doors  for  business  in  May, 
1854.    Mr.  Pelton  was  the  first  manager. 

The  passenger  house  served  food  to  the  travelers  coming  through 
on  the  trains.  This  was  before  the  days  of  dining  cars,  and  trains  were 
stopped  at  Mendota  and  time  taken  out  for  eating  and  rest. 

James  Aiken  became  manager  in  1863  and  Frederick  Haskell  the 
clerk.  It  was  said  that  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Aiken  the  hotel 
became  known  as  one  of  the  best  railroad  hotels  in  the  state. 

Along  with  the  other  duties  of  "mine  host,"  James  Aiken  also  sold, 
of  all  things,  farm  seeds.  He  ran  an  ad  in  the  local  paper  as  follows: 
"Tobacco  seed  suitable  for  growing  in  this  latitude  left  for  distribution 
among  farmers".  The  tobacco  evidently  didn't  move  well  as  nothing 
more  has  ever  been  mentioned  about  tobacco  growing  in  this  commu- 
nity so  dedicated  to  the  culture  of  corn. 

The  Passenger  House  had  its  well  landscaped  grounds,  all  neatly 
fenced  in,  and  beautiful  gardens.  Martin  Purcell  was  the  gardener. 
Purcell  had  at  one  time  been  coachman  for  General  Andrew  Jackson. 
J.  P.  Brosius  was  the  hotel  barber.  His  barber  chair  was  a  gift  from 
friends.    It  was  plush  covered  and  is  said  to  have  cost  $60. 

Mr.  Aiken  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  Passenger  House  in  1872  to 
Charles  Taylor.  He  was  a  son  of  Colonel  Taylor  of  La  Salle,  a  man 
prominent  in  Illinois  history.  Taylor's  regime  was  eminent.  Standing 
on  one  of  the  mantels  of  the  hotel  was  a  handsome  gold  anniversary 
clock,  the  gift,  it  is  said,  of  Potter  Palmer  of  Chicago. 

The  Passenger  House  of  the  70's  and  80's  was  the  scene  of  many 


126 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


parties  and  gatherings.    It  was  elaborately  furnished  and  saw  many- 
distinguished  guests  in  its  dining  room  and  parlors. 

There  still  exists  in  Mendota  one  of  a  pair  of  long  mirrors  framed 
in  rosewood  that  hung  in  the  parlor  of  this  hotel.  When  the  fire  was 
discovered  that  razed  this  famous  hotel,  these  mirrors  were  rescued 

from  the  flames. 

*       *       * 

Built  to  replace  this  hotel  was  a  new  and  fabulous  new  railroad 
station  and  depot  hotel,  which  was  said  to  have  been  the  largest  be- 
tween Chicago  and  Omaha.  The  Depot  Hotel  had  many  rooms,  a  large 
dining  room,  and  a  lunch  counter.  The  structure,  with  the  wings  that 
housed  railroad  baggage  rooms  and  the  like  occupied  a  large  part  of 
an  entire  block. 

When  the  new  Union  Depot  Hotel  was  completed  an  elaborate 
opening  banquet  and  ball  was  held  on  February  23,  1888.  There  were 
fancy  dance  programs,  announcing  quadrilles,  waltzes,  polkas,  and 
military  Scottische  dances.  The  floor  committee  was  comprised  of 
James  Smith,  Ed.  F.  Higgins,  E.  P.  Fassett,  Samuel  Fernberg  Jr.,  and 
Charles  T.  Madden.    It  was  a  gala  affair,  and  very  much  "society". 

The  advent  of  dining  cars  and  increasing  travel  by  automobiles 
spelled  the  eventful  doom  of  the  Depot  Hotel.  Under  a  succession  of 
managers  they  tried  to  make  it  pay,  but  bit  by  bit  it  was  closed  off  and 
about  a  dozen  years  ago  razed  to  the  ground  except  for  the  north  wing 
which  was  modernized  into  a  small  but  adequate  railroad  station  only. 
The  Depot  Hotel,  amidst  the  clanging  and  whistling  of  trains,  had 
ceased  to  hold  any  glamor  for  the  traveling  public. 


BOASTED  A  STATION  WAGON 

Another  hotel,  considered  one  of  the  fine  ones,  was  the  Hoffman 
House.  This  was  located  on  Thirteenth  avenue,  in  the  large  brick 
structure  known  to  many  as  the  old  seminary  building.  It  was  owned 
by  Abel  Hoffman  and  his  son,  James.  The  building,  south  of  Prescott 
Brothers  garage,  is  now  owned  by  them  and  used  as  apartments. 

The  Hoffman  House  owned  a  pair  of  black  horses  that  were 
hitched  to  a  carriage  with  a  canopy  top.  The  carriage  was  sent  down 
town  to  meet  trains  that  arrived  here,  and  to  bring  guests  back  to 
the  hotel. 

In  the  summer  the  small  boys  of  the  town  used  to  wander  up  to 
the  hotel  to  watch  the  fashionable  ladies  and  gentlemen  play  croquet 
on  the  spacious  hotel  lawn.  But  this  was  long  ago,  in  the  early  years 
of  the  80's. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         127 


A  big  brick  building  stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Jefferson 
streets.  On  the  first  floor  were  stores;  the  second  floor  was  known  to 
all  the  town  as  the  scene  of  much  community  activity,  with  a  stage  and 
a  floor  for  roller  skating.  The  third  floor  was  the  home  of  the  Germania 
Turnverein  for  a  time. 

This  big  building  was  sold  to  Gabriel  Pohl,  a  retired  farmer,  in 
1886.  He  remodeled  it  into  a  three  story  hotel  named  Pohl's  Hotel. 
He  leased  it  to  Frederick  H.  Haskell,  Sr.,  who  operated  it  until  1903. 
Mr.  Haskell  was  well  acquainted  with  the  hotel  business,  having  been 
a  clerk  at  the  Passenger  House  and  later  operating  the  St.  James  Hotel. 

After  Mr.  Pohl  finished  remodeling  his  building  there  were  29 
rooms,  13  of  them  inside  rooms  without  direct  outside  light.  Twelve 
of  the  rooms  were  "extra  special"  —  they  had  coal  stoves  for  heating. 
Mr.  Haskell,  the  proprietor,  had  a  young  son  named  Dan  and  to  this 
chap  was  given  the  duty  of  carrying  up  wood  and  coal  to  keep  the  fires 
burning  brightly.  However  it  was  up  to  the  guest  to  make  and  keep 
his  own  fire  going. 


PLEASE  DON'T  BLOW  THE  GAS  OUT 

This  hotel  had  all  the  modern  conveniences  available  at  that  time. 
The  rooms  were  lighted  by  gas.  Many  of  the  hotel  guests  were  un- 
aquainted  with  this  new  form  of  lighting.  For  this  reason  the  hotel 
keeper  had  to  constantly  warn  his  guests  that  gas  jets  were  to  be 
turned  off  not  blown  out  as  they  were  accustomed  to  doing  with  the  old 
oil  lamps,  but  in  spite  of  this  many  guests  did  not  heed  the  warning 
and  so  it  was  the  duty  of  the  clerk  to  make  the  rounds  of  the  hotel 
sniffing  at  each  open  door  transom  to  see  if  gas  were  escaping  as  a 
result  of  carelessness  or  ignorance  on  the  part  of  the  guests. 

Like  so  many  hotels  of  the  day  there  was  a  bar,  this  one  located  in 
the  basement  but  later  moved  into  the  corner  room  on  the  first  floor. 

The  hotel  was  run  American  plan.  Two  dollars  a  day  for  room 
and  board. 

Like  most  of  the  hotels  in  those  turbulent  days  the  Pohl  had  its 
share  of  excitement.  At  the  time  of  the  big  Burlington  railroad  strike  of 
1888  thirty  Pinkerton  detectives  moved  in  while  they  guarded  the  rail- 
road property.     Fortunately,  however,  there  was  no  violence. 

In  1903  Dr.  English  took  over  the  hotel  and  renamed  it  The 
English  Hotel.  A  few  years  later  two  brothers  John  and  William  Faber 
purchased  the  hostelry.  It  was  then  renamed  Hotel  Faber,  and  as 
such  we  still  know  it  today. 


128         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Under  the  Fabers  it  was  refurbished  and  made  much  larger.  A 
fourth  floor  being  added  to  the  building  and  a  necessary  elevator  was 
installed. 

In  the  30's  the  hotel  was  taken  over  by  Mr.  Charles  Johns,  who 
ran  it  until  his  death,  after  which  his  son,  Dick  Johns,  continued  its 
operation.  It  is  still  a  large  and  flourishing  hotel,  and  its  Gold  Room 
is  the  scene  of  many  civic  meetings. 

♦       #       * 

New  modes  of  transportation  over  the  years  have  brought  changes 
in  inn-keeping,  but  none  so  marked  as  the  present  trend  towards  ac- 
commodations for  travelers  on  the  highway,  the  motels.  Mendota  has 
five  modern  motels.  They  are  Kakusha,  Mac's,  Puritan,  Vic  and 
Thelma's,  and  Shady  Rest,  all  located  on  U.  S.  highways  on  the  fringe 
of  the  city.  Tourist  homes  preceded  these,  but  motorists  have  shown 
a  preference  for  the  privacy  and  modern  accommodations  of  the  motels. 

Yet  Mendota's  three  existing  hotels  are  usually  full-up  and  seem 
destined  to  a  hardy  future  for  some  time  to  come. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         129 


H 


THE  FOUR  XlORSEMEN 


O 


NE  LOOK  at  the  wreckage  was  sufficient  proof  of  the  terrific  force 
of  the  explosion.  The  first  warning  had  been  a  low  report,  faintly 
heard  throughout  the  town,  then  a  heavy  jar,  and  the  building  and 
contents  crumpled. 

The  cause  of  the  explosion  destroying  Henning's  brewery,  killing 
seven,  and  injuring  scores,  will  never  be  known.  The  supposition  is 
that  a  stick  of  dynamite  might  have  been  dropped  unnoticed  into  the 
coal  at  the  mine  and  eventually  fed  into  the  furnace;  the  Henning 
Brothers  were  certain  it  could  not  have  been  the  boilers  since  they  were 
checked  continually  and  were  equipped  with  safety  valves  and  water 
alarms  that  sounded  a  whistle  when  the  water  reached  the  low  danger 
mark. 

The  explosion,  on  Friday,  January  25,  1895,  was  perhaps  the  most 
all-encompassing  tragedy  in  Mendota's  first  hundred  years. 

Men  were  imprisoned  in  the  tons  of  brick,  beams  and  broken 
machinery  which  were  piled  where  the  brew  house  had  stood.  Although 
the  wind  had  blown  up  to  gale  proportions  and  the  driving  snow  was 
blinding,  the  work  of  rescuing  the  wounded  and  finding  the  dead  was 
begun  immediately. 

The  wounded  were  located  and  given  care;  to  find  the  dead  was 
more  difficult.  Tons  of  material  were  removed,  and  by  7  p.m.,  the 
bodies  of  three  men,  David  Gheer,  David  Wells,  and  John  Kennedy 
were  found  near  each  other  in  what  had  been  the  engine  room. 
Evidently  they  had  been  talking  together:  one  still  held  a  small 
wrench  in  his  hand.    All  Friday  night,  Saturday  and  Sunday,  even  on 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         131 


Monday  morning  the  search  continued  until  the  last  of  the  seven 
victims  had  been  found. 

The  next  Mendota  Bulletin  reported :  "Day  after  day  the  mournful 
tones  of  funeral  bells  rang  out  over  the  city;  never  before  had  there 
been  so  heavy  a  call  upon  the  sympathies  of  the  citizens,  nor  such  a 
manifestation  of  neighborly  kindness  and  brotherly  love. 

"When  the  news  of  the  terrible  disaster  carried  from  house  to 
house,  a  shudder  of  horror  passed  through  the  community,  but  this  at 
once  gave  place  to  a  desire  to  be  of  assistance  to  those  who  suffered 
and  mourned,  and  many  are  the  deeds  of  kindness  and  words  of  cheer 
and  consolation  caught  by  the  recording  angel." 

Mr.  Henning  had  begun  the  brewery  business  in  1865  and  had 
built  up  the  concern  until  it  was  one  of  the  most  complete  in  the  "West." 
The  loss  came  when  everything  looked  brightest. 

He  began  immediate  plans  for  rebuilding,  after  clearing  away  the 
heap  of  rubbish.  A  temporary  structure  was  erected  to  carry  on  the 
business  during  the  winter,  but  eventually  he  gave  up  his  plans. 

The  greatest  loss,  however,  was  that  of  the  lives  of  his  valuable, 
faithful  helpers.  In  1889,  funds  had  been  collected  for  victims  of  the 
Johnstown  flood,  but  the  total  amount  had  not  been  sent;  the  balance 
was  immediately  voted  for  aid  to  the  victims  of  this  local  disaster. 

*         *         * 

But  this  was  neither  the  first  nor  the  last  of  the  catastrophies  the 
young  city  was  to  endure;  the  Four  Horsemen  were  to  have  their  full 
ride.  Earlier  the  city  had  twice  faced  extinction  by  fire  (see  "Some 
Hot  Times  in  the  Old  Town"),  later  it  was  to  be  tried  by  storm, 
flood  and  plague. 

No  community  seeks  tragedy,  yet  it  was  in  these  moments  that 
Mendota  earned  its  right  to  be  a  city,  that  the  often  latent  qualities  of 
love,  kindness,  humility  and  community  cooperation  reached  fulfillment. 


THE  TORNADO  HITS 

Another  Friday  —  July  17,  1903,  was  a  day  to  be  long  remem- 
bered. It  was  neither  too  warm  nor  sultry;  there  was  none  of  that 
ominous  stillness  which  so  often  warns  of  approaching  trouble. 

Periodic  but  insignificant  showers  had  dotted  the  afternoon;  then, 
at  about  5  p.m.,  a  terrific  rain  drenched  the  city  and  the  wind  swept 
through  with  great  fury,  not  as  a  cyclone  comes,  but  more  like  a 
hurricane,  blowing  straight  ahead  with  tremendous  force. 


132         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Following  the  downpour  was  a  lull;  perhaps  the  worst  was  over? 
Then  with  appalling  suddenness,  it  became  black  as  night,  there  were 
additional  torrents  of  rain,  and  a  frightful  roar  was  heard  in  the 
distance.  In  less  time  that  it  takes  to  tell,  the  destroyer  bounded  out 
of  the  southwest  with  overwhelming  velocity,  shot  across  the  extreme 
west  and  north  parts  of  the  city,  occasionally  rising  a  little,  striking  the 
earth,  or  zigzagging  slightly  as  its  course  was  deflected  by  ground 
formation  or  open  spaces.  Then,  in  a  twinkling  of  the  eye,  it  was  gone, 
leaving  death,  misery  and  ruin  in  its  wake. 

The  brewery  explosion  cost  more  lives,  but  the  tornado  produced 
greater  misery  as  the  devastation  was  visited  upon  more  people. 
In  dollars  and  cents,  an  estimate  of  $100,000  damage  was  quoted 
although  undoubtedly  the  figure  was  not  all-inclusive.  Four  local 
people  were  killed  outright;  12  more  were  seriously  injured.  Many 
others  received  minor  injuries  or  suffered  from  shock.  Seventeen 
structures  within  the  city  limits  were  leveled;  an  additional  three  out- 
side were  also  demolished.     Those  partially  damaged  numbered  fifty. 

Some  had  slight  warning  and  fled  to  their  cellars;  others  suspected 
nothing  until  they  heard  timbers  crashing  about  their  heads,  or  found 
themselves  flying  through  space  with  the  debris.  Cellars  undoubtedly 
saved  many  lives;  had  it  struck  in  the  night  the  loss  would  have  been 
immeasurable.  And  had  the  tornado  taken  a  course  a  half  mile  further 
south,  the  loss  of  life  and  property  would  have  been  too  horrible  to 
contemplate. 


People  in  the  downtown  area  did  not  at  first  realize  the  full  scope 
of  the  tornado.  After  it  had  passed,  they  ran  out  into  the  streets  to 
pick  up  signs  and  gather  the  scattered  merchandise,  laughing  together 
about  the  freaks  of  the  wind. 

But  when  they  heard  of  the  devastation  to  the  north,  they  flocked 
there  to  find  friends  buried  in  the  ruins  of  their  homes,  children  crying 
and  searching  for  mothers,  and  mothers  for  children;  strong  men 
weeping  as  they  gazed  upon  the  wreckage  of  that  which  had  once  been 
nearest  and  dearest  to  them.  Chaos,  confusion,  desolation!  Homes 
gone,  and  all  so  sudden,  so  complete!  It  was  worse  than  any  fire,  for 
there  was  no  possibility  of  saving  anything.  Even  the  livestock  sensed 
the  tragedy,  for  they  ran  about  aimlessly,  uttering  pitiful  cries. 

And  then  again  the  rain  came  down.  Everyone  drenched,  dazed, 
with  nothing  but  the  dripping  rags  which  clung  to  their  battered  bodies ; 
the  anti-climax  to   a  bewilderingly   quick   and   thorough   catastrophe. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         133 


The  path  of  the  storm  was  from  the  southwest  to  the  northeast.  It 
was  first  sighted  in  Bureau  County,  between  Princeton  and  LaMoille, 
but  did  not  reach  its  highest  pitch  of  fury  until  it  neared  Mendota. 
Clarion  and  West  Troy  Grove  felt  its  wrath  in  a  lesser  amount.  It 
struck  just  west  and  north  of  Blackstone  school,  the  storm  center  missing 
the  building  and  moving  on  an  easy  path  until  it  reached  Henning's 
Ice  House,  at  the  edge  of  their  pond.  This  building  was  ripped  to 
kindling  wood,  leaving  only  a  ludicrous  iceberg. 

The  Stare  Tile  works  was  next  hit,  followed  by  a  let-up,  then  a 
path  of  many  fine  trees.  Houses  fronting  on  the  west  side  of  the  street 
east  of  the  Illinois  Central  tracks  went  down  like  houses  of  cards;  the 
North  school  was  plundered  so  completely  that  it  was  difficult  to  tell 
where  it  had  stood.  Many  beautiful  trees  on  the  Advent  College  campus 
were  snapped;  the  campus  was  a  sad  sight,  with  windows  smashed. 
Just  north  of  the  college  was  an  old  building  which  had  housed  a  Negro 
church,  but  this  was  a  ruin  also. 

Then,  on.  .  .  .east  into  the  country,  through  Meriden  Township, 
then  disappearing  into  the  air  somewhere  near  Paw  Paw. 


WITNESSES  TO  THE  STORM 

A  railroad  engineer,  trapped  but  fortunately  uninjured  at  the 
throttle  of  his,  south-bound  Illinois  Central  train,  said  the  sky  showed 
a  large  cloud  as  white  as  a  snowball,  preceded  and  followed  by  black 
clouds.  The  throttle  was  wide  open  and  the  wheels  turning  at  a  rapid 
rate,  down  grade  at  that,  but  the  train  was  held  to  the  spot  by  the 
terrific  force  of  the  wind. 

Scarcely  had  the  shock  and  consternation  of  the  people  passed 
when  their  deep  compassion  turned  from  works  of  immediate  relief, 
such  as  finding  temporary  housing  for  the  victims,  to  thoughts  of 
permanent  assistance. 

A  meeting  was  called  by  Mayor  Browne,  and  a  permanent  relief 
committee  appointed,  headed  by  Senator  Gardner,  and  including 
Messrs.  Foster,  Kieselbach,  Crawford,  Henning  and  Imus.  Rev.  Proehl 
and  Father  Heany  also  were  of  great  help. 

The  great  undertaking  was  begun,  and  the  city  pitched  in  to 
restore  the  homes,  ration  out  food  and  clothing  and  the  other  necessities. 

W.  R.  Foster,  who  now  lives  in  Ottawa,  recalls  the  tornado  of 
1903  vividly.  "I  was  on  the  ground  within  a  half  hour  after  it  cut 
the  swath  about  two  blocks  wide  across  the  north  end  of  town.     As  I 


134 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


recall  it  four  people  were  killed,  fifteen  seriously  injured  and  forty-five 
buildings  destroyed  or  badly  damaged. 

"At  the  public  meeting  Saturday  eve,  July  15,  $1800  was  subscribed 
in  20  minutes  and  I  was  made  chairman  of  the  relief  committee.  Robert 
N.  Crawford  had  charge  of  raising  the  funds  and  I  had  charge  of 
rebuilding  and  repairing. 

"It  took  most  of  my  time  from  July  18  to  somewhat  past  the 
middle  of  November.  Ultimately  the  finance  committee  raised  $10,200, 
workmen  donated  a  certain  number  of  days'  work,  dealers  let  us  have 
supplies  at  cost  and  it  was  surprising  how  far  we  made  the  dollars  go. 
I  recall,  too,  that  we  were  given  furniture  and  stacks  of  outgrown 
clothes;  and  the  last  thing  we  did  was  to  put  groceries,  potatoes,  and 
cured  meat  enough  in  each  house  to  last  them  till  spring. 

"The  Milwaukee  Railroad  was  going  through  that  year.  They 
bought  a  row  of  houses  north  of  the  Q  and  another  row  south  of  the 
Depot,  and  sold  them  to  the  committee  for  $125  and  up.  A  house  mover 
in  town  gave  us  a  very  favorable  rate.  So  we  measured  the  houses  that 
could  be  moved  and  the  foundations  that  the  tornado  had  left  and 
ultimately  outfitted  everyone  with  a  house  as  good  as  he  had  had.  And 
the  good  people  of  the  town  found  enough  attic  furniture  to  outfit  the 
newly  placed  houses.  All  in  all,  I  was  thoroughly  convinced  that 
Mendota  was  the  best  little  city  on  the  map." 


Mendota  was  not  spared  during  the  influenza  epidemic  of  1918. 
Schools,  churches,  all  gatherings  in  social  groups  were  discontinued 
for  a  time.  One  family  lost  father  and  four  children.  And,  as  if  the 
general  suffering  from  the  disease  were  not  enough,  the  weather  was 
unusually  severe  with  heavy  snow  falls  which  crippled  transportation 
for  most  of  the  winter. 


The  most  disastrous  storm  ever  to  strike  this  section  of  Illinois 
swooped  down  upon  the  peoples  of  LaSalle  and  Bureau  Counties 
Wednesday  night,  June  27,  1945;  a  portion  of  country  23  miles  long 
in  Bureau  County  and  another  large  area  south  of  Triumph  in  LaSalle 
county  was  laid  waste.  The  total  damage  was  estimated  at  more  than  a 
million  dollars.  Beautiful  farm  homes,  the  pride  of  their  owners, 
which  had  marked  our  highways,  were  torn  assunder. 

The  city  itself  suffered  most  as  the  result  of  the  swelling  of  the 
creek  which  usually  angles  lazily  through  the  town.  There  was  nothing 
lazy  about  it  that  night;  in  a  matter  of  moments  it  had  overflown  its 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         135 


measly  banks  and  a  sheet  of  water  and  mud  swept  through  the  town, 
filling  every  cellar,  every  low  place  in  the  community  and  rising  several 
feet  above  ground  level  itself. 

In  the  Mendota  Reporter  basement  was  a  carload  of  newsprint. 
Large  rolls,  each  weighing  1150  pounds,  were  burst  open  and  heaved 
from  side  to  side.  The  big  presses  stood  in  water  for  two  days  before 
the  basement  could  be  sufficiently  drained  to  permit  repair  work  on  the 
machinery.  The  State  Theater,  at  the  edge  of  the  stream  itself,  filled 
quickly  with  muck  and  water;  the  high-muck  mark  is  still  visible  both 
there  and  in  the  basement  of  the  Elks,  which  until  that  time  had  housed 
the  bowling  alley.  The  underpass  on  Highway  51  south  of  the  city 
filled  so  that  traffic  to  the  south  Was  stopped  for  many  days. 

Throughout  the  area,  the  hurricane  and  cloudburst  left  little 
untouched.  Telephone  and  telegraph  lines  were  downed ;  the  Burlington 
roadbed  washed  out  so  that  trains  were  forced  to  detour  for  weeks. 
The  Mendota  gas  plant  was  out  of  commission  for  three  days.  The 
Utility  company  had  a  force  of  men  come  in  from  surrounding  areas 
to  shut  off  the  gas  and  meters.  Then,  the  following  Saturday,  when 
they  were  again  able  to  give  service,  the  crew  visited  every  customer, 
turning  on  the  gas  and  checking  every  appliance  to  see  that  all  was 
safe  for  operation. 

And  again  Mendota  was  tested,  and  again  Mendota  rebuilt. 
Neighbors  opened  their  homes  and  assisted  the  unfortunate  to  the 
hospitals  for  the  necessary  care.  It  took  months  to  clear  away  the 
wreckage,  but  slowly  and  surely  the  city  and  the  surrounding  area 
emerged  again  from  its  tomb.  The  Farm  Bureau  organized  a  small 
army  of  the  able  bodied  to  clear  away  rural  debris  so  that  crops  of 
oats  and  corn  could  be  cultivated;  as  soon  as  the  soil  was  dry  enough, 
workers  had  the  field  in  shape  for  cultivation. 

The  State  Police  and  the  militia  worked  hard,  too,  to  protect  the 
countryside  from  the  greedy  hands  of  the  dastardly  scavengers  who 
seem  always  to  follow  in  the  wake  of  disaster. 


Through  the  years  there  have  been  other  major  storms,  the  most 
recent  in  December  of  1951,  but  none  have  so  desolated  the  city  as 
those  of  1903  and  1945. 

One  of  these  "minor"  storms  reduced  the  pride  of  Mendota,  a 
four-story  skyscraper  at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Illinois,  of 
such  height  that  it  could  be  seen  from  the  Lee  County  line,  to  a  mere 
three-story  structure.  Today  the  building  climbs  only  two  stories, 
and  is  owned  and  occupied  by  Theodore  Troupis. 


136 


MAGNIFICENT  WHISTLE   STOP 


Another  wind  storm  removed  the  roof  of  the  nearly  completed 
"Henderson  Seminary"  near  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Thirteenth 
Avenue,  at  a  loss  of  $4,000  to  the  sponsoring  Presbyterian  church. 


HELP  IN  CHERRY  MINE  DISASTER 

Perhaps  remembering  her  own  tragedies,  Mendota  has  often  lent 
a  helping  hand  to  neighboring  cities  and  communities  in  times  of  peril. 

At  the  time  of  the  Cherry  Mine  Disaster  in  1909,  doctors,  nurses 
and  volunteer  workers  went  down  to  assist  the  shocked  and  suffering 
little  mining  town.  Much  food  and  clothing  was  taken  to  them  and 
several  Mendota  people  stayed  to  help  as  long  as  necessary;  they  will 
never  forget  the  misery  of  that  bitter  November  13th. 

When  word  reached  Mendota  that  the  city  of  Chicago  was  burning, 
efforts  were  again  made  to  assist  the  needy.  The  Mendota  German 
Benevolent  Society  staged  a  grand  Festival  and  Ball  at  Pool's  Hall  on 
Thursday,  October  12,  1871.  Tickets  sold  for  a  dollar,  the  proceeds 
to  be  donated  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  of  the  great  Fire. 

*         *         * 

In  the  face  of  disaster,  the  final  step  must  always  be  to  turn  back 
on  the  past  and  look  to  the  future,  and  this  Mendota  has  recognized. 

Following  the  flood,  for  example,  one  local  merchant  advertised 
in  his  column  the  following  week:  "When  your  pulse  returns  to  normal, 
we'll  be  seeing  you,  I  hope",  and  he  did.  Mendota  dug  itself  out  of 
the  mud  and  kept  right  on  going,  "come  hail  or  high  water." 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         137 


D 


RINK  TO  ME  ONLY 
WITH  THINE  EYES 


V  V  HEN  THE  surveyors  for  the  original  town  of  Mendota  looked 
too  freely  upon  the  wine  when  it  was  red  and  thus  got  themselves 
gloriously  inebriated,  it  looked  as  if  the  new  town  being  laid  out  back 
there  in  1853  would  have  a  hell-for-leather  future. 

The  surveyors,  so  the  tale  goes,  were  so  drunk  they  could  scarcely 
sight  a  true  line  through  their  transit,  thus  laying  out  the  town  on 
the  bias,  with  errors  so  gross  that  some  of  the  blocks  are  two  feet 
wider  at  one  end  than  they  are  at  the  other. 

Be  this  true  or  false,  they  lost  no  time  setting  up  the  town's  first 
saloon  to  help  slake  the  thirst  of  the  hardy  pioneers  who  were  busy 
building  the  railroads  and  constructing  the  new  town.  In  1854  the 
first  saloon  was  established  on  Main  street,  near  Washington,  by  a 
man  named  Chick. 

Mr.  Chick's  saloon  was  a  portable  one,  in  an  enclosed  wagon  on 
wheels.  Thus  it  can  be  said  that  Mr.  Chick  "ran  it."  Whether  he 
established  it  in  a  wagon  so  he  could  take  liquor  to  the  masses,  or 
whether  he  was  preparing  himself  for  a  quick  exit  in  case  of  trouble, 
is  not  known. 

Chick  was  not  to  be  left  unmolested  in  converting  the  new 
settlement  to  a  life  of  alcohol  and  sin,  however,  for  ministers  soon 
came  in  to  set  up  churches,  and  the  town  quickly  acquired  a  tolerable 
balance  between  temptation  and  sobriety. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         139 


An  early  history  declares  that  one  of  the  first  acts  of  the  Village 
Board  when  the  town  was  incorporated  in  1855  was  to  outlaw  liquor. 
The  ordinance  stipulated  that  no  license  for  the  sale  of  intoxicating, 
spiritous  or  mixed  liquors  was  to  be  granted.  Heavy  penalties  were 
named. 

This  righteous  beginning  apparently  did  not  last  for  long,  because 
by  1876  there  were  18  saloons  running  full  blast. 

The  dispensation  of  beer  and  strong  drink  was  not  the  town's 
leading  industry,  but  a  considerable  number  of  people  worked  pretty 
hard  at  it,  both  in  front  and  behind  the  long  mahogany  bars.  By 
1904  the  rate  of  growth  of  saloons  had  abated  somewhat,  but  even 
so  Dan  Haskell,  who  was  city  treasurer  at  that  time,  reports  that  he 
issued  21  liquor-selling  licenses. 

Just  how  the  third  ward  came  to  be  known  as  the  "bloody  third" 
we  leave  to  other  historians  to  relate,  but  it  is  a  curious  fact  that  most 
of  the  saloons  were  huddled  on  the  west  side  of  town. 


ALABASTER  CLEAN 

The  fourth  ward  has  been  nearly  alabaster  clean  in  the  respect 
of  saloons  and  taverns,  for  the  span  of  100  years. 

Possibly  most  of  the  credit  is  due  to  the  Illinois  Central  railroad, 
which  in  establishing  the  north  east  quarter  of  the  city  as  an  addition 
to  the  town,  carried  a  restrictive  covenant  in  all  deeds,  in  perpetuity, 
requiring  that  the  sale  of  spiritous  liquors  for  any  purpose  other  than 
for  medicinal  purposes,  be  forbidden. 

Though  the  legal  enforcement  of  this  covenant  may  have  been 
lost  through  the  century,  the  fact  remains  that  through  custom  and 
avid  policing  by  residents  of  the  ward,  no  saloon  in  the  Illinois 
Central  addition  has  survived  for  long.  The  Illinois  Central  addition 
starts  on  a  line  north  of  an  extension  of  Washington  street,  northward 
and  eastward  to  the  city  limits. 

One  lady  barmaid  quietly  opened  a  tavern  in  this  sacrosanct 
district  after  prohibition  was  repealed  in  1933,  but  residents  of  the 
area  soon  drove  her  out  of  business. 

At  one  time  at  least  half  of  the  town's  churches  were  located 
east  of  the  tracks.  Time  has  changed  this  ratio  and  now  they  are 
located  on  the  west  side  —  where  they  can  fight  sin  at  short  range. 


The  young  village  was  struggling  with  its  morals  and  its  conscience. 
A   meeting  in   early  April,    1861,   in   the   Congregational   church   set 


140         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


temperance  machinery  in  motion.  A  committee  of  five  was  appointed 
to  prepare  resolutions.  This  committee  consisted  of  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook, 
Rev.  Cramb,  D.  D.  Kibby,  H.  S.  Quinn,  and  Charles  Bush.  The 
chairman  of  the  committee  privately  and  secretly  appointed  a  vigilance 
committee  of  ten  whose  duty  it  was  to  secure  testimony  to  assist  in 
making  prosecutions  for  the  suppression  of  the  liquor  traffic. 

During  the  April  election  five  trustees  were  elected  on  a  "no 
license"  or  prohibition  issue,  and  the  slate  of  trustees  in  favor  of 
licensing  saloons  was  defeated.  Accordingly  Mendota  went  dry  for 
the  first  time.  An  ordinance  was  passed  prohibiting  importation, 
manufacturing  or  sale  of  liquors.  A  fine  of  $25  was  provided,  plus 
a  further  fine  of  $25  for  each  24  hours  that  said  liquor  remained  in 
the  corporate  limits. 

The  ordinance  also  prohibited  billiard  tables  and  bowling  alleys. 
They  came  under  the  heading  of  "nuisances." 

Two  years  later  the  town  went  wet  again,  and  the  new  liquor 
ordinance  provided  for  the  sale  of  spirits  by  license.  The  ordinance 
further  provided  that  no  liquor  could  be  sold  on  Sunday,  and  saloons 
could  not  remain  open  later  than   11  p.m. 

Licenses  were  frequently  revoked,  probably  on  complaint  of 
remaining  open  after  hours. 


There  was  a  "Temperance"  Hall  in  Mendota  in  the  late  1860's, 
and  a  Women's  Suffrage  organization  was  formed. 

Apparently  there  was  no  law  against  serving  intoxicating  liquors 
to  minors  in  this  period,  for  in  1869  an  editorial  in  the  local  news- 
paper lamented  the  fact  that  "many  of  our  young  boys  do  nothing 
but  frequent  saloons."  The  editorial  went  on  to  relate  that  the  city 
contained  a  large  segment  of  youth  who  were  so  far  gone  in  dissipation 
that  they  were  beyond  all  hope  of  redemption.  "It  makes  one  feel  sad," 
said  the  editor,  "to  see  young  boys  of  14  to  16  years  old  step  up  to 
the  counter  and  drink  their  liquors." 

Illicit  distilling  and  fermenting  was  carried  on,  for  the  news  of 
the  period  relates  that  a  German  named  Singer,  who  lived  on  "Guiles 
Place  northeast  of  the  city,"  was  arrested  for  manufacturing  high 
wines  and  shipping  them  to  Peoria,  without  license.  He  was  taken 
to  Chicago,  fined  $2,000  and  given  three  years  in  prison.  That  was 
a  stiff  sentence,  particularly  in  terms  of  the  value  of  a  dollar  in  1869 
compared  with  today. 

Colonel  Bowen  the  banker  was  the  prime  mover  and  first  president 
of  a  Red  Ribbon  club,  organized  in  1877.     This  was  a  temperance 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


141 


movement,  and  to  give  the  thirsting  populace  something  better  to  do 
they  opened  up  a  reading  room  over  Freund's  store,  with  periodicals 
and  everything.  Col.  Bowen  said  the  reading  room  "will  furnish  a 
refined  and  homelike  enjoyment  which  the  saloon  never  can." 


WET  AND   DRY 

Mendota  voted  itself  dry  again  in  1867.  On  May  30  the  paper 
said,  "Prohibition  goes  into  effect  today."  Licenses  were  to  be 
granted  for  selling  liquor  for  medicinal  and  sacramental  purposes  only. 
The  first  prosecution  for  violation,  a  drunk  and  disorderly  charge, 
was  quashed  on  a  technical  point.  The  ordinance  was  aimed  at 
"tippling  houses  and  other  nuisances." 

Despite  the  fact  that  the  ordinance  provided  fines  for  violators, 
Cap  Fischer  was  not  dismayed  and  ran  his  saloon  anyway.  When 
arrested  he  paid  his  fines,  and  so  did  A.  Erlenborn.  On  one  occasion 
when  Fischer  was  arrested,  the  jury  "stayed  out  all  night"  and  in  the 
morning  fixed  a  fine  of  $50. 

At  the  end  of  the  year  it  turned  out  that  the  fines  were  producing 
less  revenue  than  license  fees  would,  and  Mendota  turned  wet  again. 
The  following  May  liquor  licenses  were  again  granted  and  the  ordinance 
repealed. 

During  the  year  of  prohibition  one  celebrant,  when  arrested  for 
making  too  much  noise  and  being  drunk,  resisted  the  officer.  The 
town  marshal  hit  him  on  the  head.  Riot  was  imminent,  but  the 
marshal  discreetly  got  out  of  the  way. 

Also  during  the  year  of  the  drouth  there  was  a  shooting  at  a  beer 
garden  south  of  the  city  limits.  One  Al  Cunningham  shot  at  one  Pat 
Riley.    No  one  hit. 


The  city  fathers  in  the  early  days  made  it  easy  for  newcomers 
to  set  up  their  bars  and  launch  themselves  in  the  saloon  business. 
In  July,  1859,  the  ordinance  on  liquor  licenses  was  amended  so  that 
a  license  could  be  granted  and  used  immediately,  instead  of  "having 
to  lay  over  one  week." 

Thus,  for  $25,  one  could  immediately  set  up  his  barrel  and  spigot 
and  open  his  doors  to  the  thirsting  portion  of  the  population,  and  in 
1860   eight   such   licenses   were   granted.      Some   of   the   names   were 


142 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


interesting  and  included  McLaughlin  and  Simpson,  Jacob  Klucker, 
William  Thompson,  Soloman  Fernberg,  Gus  Krueger,  Olxe  and  Heck, 
Wilmroth  and  Erlenborn. 


HOME  OF  "MENDOTA  BEER" 

So  important  had  become  the  slaking  of  thirst  in  the  new  frontier 
community  that  on  June  29,  1865  —  two  months  after  the  close  of 
the  Civil  War  —  a  special  license  was  granted  to  Dietrich  Volk  to  sell 
beer  of  his  own  manufacture  at  his  own  brewery,  the  fee  being  $65. 
He  previously  ran  a  vinegar  works.  He  was  founder  of  the  famous 
Mendota  Brewery  which  was  to  extend  the  name  of  Mendota  far  and 
wide  through  signs  which  read  "Mendota  Beer."  The  brewery  was 
located  on  the  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Wisconsin,  and  was  to  continue 
a  thriving  business  until  1895  when  its  30-year  history  came  to  a 
sudden  and  inglorious  end  when  the  brewery  blew  up. 

In  1865  the  brewery  was  owned  by  Volk  and  Haas,  and  was 
closed  for  a  time  by  the  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue  for  alleged 
violation  of  the  revenue  law. 

Some  time  during  the  80's  the  brewery  was  sold  to  Henning  and 
Grube.  The  business  continued  to  flourish  in  spite  of  complaints  as 
to  the  odor  and  an  order  to  build  a  reservoir.  Finally  an  under- 
ground drain  was  run  into  the  Mendota  creek,  which  seemed  to 
overcome  most  of  the  complaints.  The  tan-front  building  which  was 
built  later  to  house  the  brewery  office  still  stands,  on  Jefferson  street, 
now  used  as  an  apartment.  Over  the  years  a  number  of  Mendotans 
dug  out  limestone  slabs,  once  the  foundation  of  the  old  brewery,  and 
used  them  to  adorn  their  gardens  as  flagstone  slabs. 

Many  a  dry  Mendotan,  on  a  blistering  summer  day,  went  into  the 
back  of  the  brewery  office  where  there  was  always  free  cold  beer, 
served  in  big  copper  steins. 

Brewery  malt,  after  it  had  served  its  purpose  in  brewing,  was 
in  demand  by  the  local  citizens  as  feed  for  their  cows,  and  spent  malt 
was  hauled  from  the  brewery  to  nearby  farms  where  it  was  used  to 
fatten  cattle. 


Huge  wooden  casks  of  beer,  loaded  on  a  brewery  wagon,  were 
hauled  to  the  depot  to  be  shipped  away.  The  wagon  was  drawn  by 
four  beautiful  dapple  gray  horses,  and,  it  seems,  was  forever  getting 
stuck  in  the  mud.  As  the  drivers  whipped  up  the  horses  to  urge  them 
to  extricate  the  sodden  wagons,  it  is  said  that  women  would  shriek 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         l43 


to  the  drivers  a  warning:  "Hit  those  horses  just  once  more  and  we'll 
call  the  police!" 

Beer  from  Henning's  Brewery  was  hauled  to  Milwaukee  by  horse 
cart,  a  trip  taking  five  days.    Coals  to  Newcastle? 

Some  of  the  names  of  saloon-keepers  who  remained  in  business 
through  those  early  years,  as  shown  by  city  license  records,  include 
George  Frey,  George  Fischer,  Paul  Knauer,  A.  Erlenborn,  Lentz  and 
Sonntag,  E.  D.  Taylor,  Nick  Knauer,  G.  Westerman,  and  Theo  Geise. 
Some  of  these  were  still  in  business  as  late  as  1883.  Lentz  and  Sonntag 
were  still  doing  business  as  late  as  1892  in  the  building  adjoining  Mel's 
grocery,  when  their  place  was  damaged  by  fire. 


NEAR  BEER  HERE? 

The  new  settlement  was  only  six  years  old  when  one  A.  W. 
Brewer  was  brought  to  trial  for  selling  beer  without  a  license.  Mr. 
Brewer  claimed  his  elixir  was  near  beer,  not  a  liquor,  therefore 
requiring  no  license.  Some  of  the  witnesses  in  his  behalf  testified  that 
they  "drank  a  hundred  glasses  a  day,"  without  ill  effects. 

Samples  were  sent  away  for  analysis.  Results  of  the  test  showed 
that  two  quarts  of  the  lager  produced  about  a  half  pint  of  genuine 
whiskey.  It  was  reasoned  that  any  witnesses  who  had  downed  100 
glasses  a  day  would  as  a  consequence  be  taking  about  six  quarts  of 
whiskey  .  .  .  enough  surely  to  make  any  human  slightly  exhilarated. 

As  the  judge  got  up  to  pronounce  sentence,  Brewer  was  struck 
with  fright  and  fled  from  the  courtroom.  He  was  fined  $100  instead 
of  being  sentenced  to  jail. 

*     *     * 

There  was  a  bar  in  the  old  stone  depot  which  burned  down  in 
the  80's.    Old-timers  recall  that  Pat  Gorman  was  the  genial  bartender. 

Basement  locations  were  a  favorite  place  for  early  saloons.  Joe 
Ellingen  had  one  underneath  the  present  Goslin  drug  store,  and  Joe 
Weidner  ran  another  under  the  building  across  the  street.  There  was 
another  under  the  present  candy  kitchen,  and  another  basement 
emporium  under  Classen's  grocery.  Chris  Ossman  had  a  basement 
saloon  where  the  Chuck  Williar  barbershop  now  is. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  Haskell  ran  a  place  in  the  Pohl  hotel  now 
the  Hotel  Faber  building.  Murphy  and  Crowley  ran  a  saloon  at 
Jefferson  and  Illinois  where  the  shoe  repair  shop  now  is  located. 

In  fact,  the  block  on  the  south  side  of  Jefferson  street  between 
Main  and  Illinois  was  labelled  by  the  citizenry  as  "whiskey  row." 


144 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


It  would  be  difficult  to  present  a  complete  register  of  those  who 
owned  saloons  in  the  early  days,  but  the  following  were  among  those 
who  dispensed  steins  of  foaming  suds.  Henry  Jacoby  had  a  saloon  just 
east  of  the  present  Montagnoli  grocery.  Anton  Leven,  one-time  livery 
stable  operator  and  one-time  Mendota  Opera  House  manager,  also 
ran  a  saloon  in  the  same  spot. 

George  Sack  ran  a  saloon  at  the  Illinois  Hotel  for  several  years. 
At  the  Humboldt  House,  sometimes  known  as  the  Germania  Hotel, 
north  of  the  Virgil  Shoe  repair  shop  on  Main  Street,  was  another  saloon 
run  in  connection  with  the  hotel. 

Old  photographs  of  the  Fischer  Building,  now  the  Candy  Kitchen, 
show  a  big  sign  "Sampling  Room."  This  was  not,  as  it  turned  out, 
a  place  where  out-of-town  salesmen  could  show  their  samples,  but 
rather  the  name  of  Fischer's  saloon  located  in  the  basement.  There 
was  a  grocery  store  upstairs.  It  apparently  softened  the  impact  at 
home  if  the  tipsy  husband  had  a  sack  of  groceries  under  his  arm. 

John  Faber  and  his  brother,  William  Faber,  opened  the  "Up  to 
Date"  saloon  in  the  building  on  Jefferson  street  now  occupied  by  the 
Talk  of  the  Town  restaurant.  Later  John  Faber  went  into  business 
for  himself  and  opened  a  place  just  south  of  the  present  United  Cigar 
Store. 


CHANGES  IN  OWNERSHIP 

Many  places  went  through  a  succession  of  owners.  It  would  be 
almost  impossible  to  trace  the  lineage  of  most  present-day  taverns,  as 
they  sometimes  change  hands  frequently.  An  interesting  succession  is 
that  of  "Hub's"  on  Jefferson  street.  Years  ago  this  was  run  by  John 
Full  and  Andrew  Full.  John  Landgraf  bought  from  the  Fulls,  and  he 
sold  to  Hubert  J.  Kaufman,  who  sold  to  William  Rokey,  who  sold  to 
Frank  Secky  who  sold  to  Bailey  and  Haynes.  A  veritable  "Abraham 
begat  Isaac"  sort  of  thing! 

For  many  years  Louis  Waldorf  had  a  very  fine  wholesale  liquor 
store,  located  first  where  the  present  Faber  barbershop  is  located  on 
Illinois  avenue,  and  later  across  the  street  at  the  site  of  the  present 
Waldorf  cafe.  This  was  sometime  before  1900.  Earl  Houk  operated 
a  saloon  in  a  one-story  brick  building  located  near  the  feed  yard,  just 
south  of  the  present  Buick  garage. 

The  Spanier  saloon  was  located  on  Main  street  just  south  of  Feik's 
coal  office. 

Some  of  the  tavern  owners  who  opened  shortly  after  repeal  of 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


145 


prohibition  in  1933  were  Charles  Schwarz  who  operated  a  place  in  the 
"Old  Mill"  on  Sixth  street,  Bill  Austin's  Chatterbox,  Steve  Seno,  and 
Harry  Ossman's  on  Washington  street.  Bill  Vogelsang  opened  his 
place  in  1936  and  Johnson's  Tavern,  also  on  Main  street,  has  been 
in  business  since  1939,  succeeding  James  Ellis'  Smoke  Shop. 

Various  nationally  known  beers  were  distributed  from  Mendota. 
The  Wohler  Brothers  and  John  Kehm  handled  Schlitz  from  the  brick 
building  on  Main  street  which  now  houses  the  Gillette  Produce  Com- 
pany. Pabst  was  distributed  by  August  Meisenbach  who  operated  the 
big  livery  stable  at  Illinois  and  Monroe  streets.  He  had  an  ice  house 
just  south  of  his  establishment,  where  ice  was  stored  for  cooling  the 
beer. 

Bohemian  Beer  was  distributed  from  a  building  on  Fifth  street 
later  the  headquarters  of  the  L.  C.  Mercantile  Company.  The  owners 
were  Pohl  and  Yost.  William  Walter  handled  Budweiser  from  a  build- 
ing along  the  alley  in  the  rear  of  what  is  now  Wendt's  drug  store. 
Mr.  Walter  later  took  over  the  Lemps  agency  and  moved  across  the 
alley  to  the  building  which  was  later  the  washboard  factory  and  now 
Carroll  Roofing. 

At  a  later  period  Grosch  and  Weitzel  handled  Budweiser  from  the 
location  in  the  Odd  Fellows  building. 


THE  "FREE  LUNCH"  COUNTER 

"Free  lunch"  was  an  institution.  A  person  could  buy  a  mug  of 
beer  for  5  cents  (six  mugs  for  25c),  walk  over  to  the  free  lunch  counter, 
and  eat  his  fill.  Phil  Weber  had  roast  beef,  baked  ham,  sauerkraut, 
etc.    He  says  they  still  made  a  profit. 

Speaking  of  prices,  at  the  turn  of  the  century  the  bartender  put 
the  bottle  before  the  customer,  who  poured  his  own.  Two  and  a  half 
ounces  was  10  cents,  three  for  25  cents.  Bulk  whiskey,  100%  proof, 
was  $1  for  a  full  quart,  or  $3  a  gallon. 

In  those  days  it  was  rare  for  a  woman  to  be  seen  in  a  saloon.  If 
a  woman  walked  in,  in  ten  minutes  the  fact  was  known  all  over  town. 
And  she  would  be  considered,  in  all  probability,  a  loose  woman. 

Fair  week  or  during  the  4-day  race  events  the  saloons  did  a  big 
business.     There  was  hardly  a  vacant  space  at  the  bars. 

There  was  great  baseball  rivalry  in  those  days,  and  upon  one 
occasion  the  La  Salle  Eagles  refused  to  play  Mendota  a  Sunday  return 
game  unless  the  saloons  would  open.  This  was  during  an  era  when 
saloons  were  closed  on  Sundays.     The  saloon  proprietors  got  together 


146         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


and  asked  Mayor  Newton  Imus  if  they  could  co-operate  in  order  to 
make  the  game  possible.  He  is  reported  to  have  replied  "I  can't  tell 
you  to  open."  Analyzing  that  statement,  the  committee  decided  while 
he  didn't  say  yes  neither  did  he  say  no.  So  they  decided  to  make  the 
rival  ball  game  possible  by  opening  their  back  doors. 

So  the  Eagles  were  scheduled  to  play,  and  a  special  train  pulled 
in  from  La  Salle,  loaded  with  rooters.  Most  of  them  rushed  for  the 
saloons  immediately.  Someone  blocked  off  both  alley  entrances  to 
Phil  Weber's  saloon  so  he  opened  the  front  door  to  let  in  the  thirsting 
hordes.  The  saloons  were  ready  with  extra  help,  extra  beer,  and  extra 
free  lunch. 

Some  of  the  patrons  never  did  get  to  the  ball  game,  which  was 
played  at  the  fairgrounds.  None  of  the  saloon-keepers  was  arrested, 
not  even  Phil  who  had  placed  himself  in  quite  a  vulnerable  position. 
Moreover,  the  mayor,  hizzonner  himself,  had  walked  right  past  the 
establishment  when  it  was  running  full  blast. 

In  those  days  a  saloon  was  a  saloon.  No  attempt  was  made  to 
soften  the  impact  with  fancy  names  such  as  tavern,  club,  cocktail 
lounge,  or  bar.     It  was  simply  a  saloon,  and  that  was  that. 

The  opening  of  a  new  beer  parlor  was  usually  recorded  in  the 
newspapers  with  pomp  and  ceremony,  such  as  attended  the  opening 
of  the  Reichardt  and  Wylie  saloon  in  February,  1893.  The  announce- 
ment read  that  "Reichardt  and  Wylie  will  have  a  formal  opening  of 
their  elegantly  furnished  new  saloon  next  to  the  postoffice  next  Monday, 
February  20.    Tony  the  harper  has  been  engaged  to  furnish  the  music." 

The  old  Reichardt  saloon  has  had  a  succession  of  owners  over 
the  years.  This  place,  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Sixth  street,  now 
operated  by  Kathryn  Biers,  was  run  for  a  number  of  years  by  Robert- 
son and  Hoye. 


"TEN  NIGHTS  IN  A  BARROOM" 

Throughout  the  register  of  saloon-keepers  over  the  years  were 
many  names  respected  then  and  now  in  Mendota  civic  and  social  life. 
Most  of  the  proprietors  apparently  conducted  their  places  on  an  ac- 
ceptable plane,  for  the  pressure  was  great  from  reformers,  Carrie 
Nations,  church  and  women's  groups.  The  Prohibition  ticket  carried 
a  great  deal  of  weight  in  state  and  national  elections,  and  anti-saloon 
leagues  were  vigorously  denouncing  the  evils  of  saloons  and  strong 
drink.    Mendota  had  a  "Loyal  Temperance  Legion". 

Poems  and  plays  played  the  same  theme,  as  shown  by  the  popu- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


147 


larity  of  "Ten  Nights  in  a  Bar-room,"  "East  Lynn,"  and  "The  Drunk- 
ard."  A  community  was  either  wet  or  dry,  as  determined  by  local 
option  or  local  vote. 

City  records  show  that  in  May,  1870,  a  petition  was  brought  to  the 
board  of  aldermen  asking  that  liquor  licenses  be  increased  to  $125  in 
order  to  keep  down  the  number  of  liquor  establishments.  The  motion 
lost  by  a  vote  of  3  to  8. 


"SALOONS  MUST  GO" 

Undaunted,  the  same  group  of  women  started  a  petition  in  1874, 
and  got  400  signers,  asking  that  license  fees  be  upped  to  $150.  They 
had  apparently  done  some  effective  spade-work  in  preparation,  for  the 
petition  went  through.  All  saloon  keepers  at  this  time  had  to  file  a 
bond  before  receiving  a  license,  and  the  bond  had  to  be  voted  on 
favorably  by  the  board.    In  1876  the  liquor  fee  was  raised  to  $200. 

Newton  Imus,  alderman,  mayor,  and  county  supervisor  was  an 
active  temperance  man. 

In  a  certain  famous  Fourth  of  July  parade  the  Wintrode  Sisters, 
Alice  and  Frances,  who  both  were  ardent  temperance  campaigners,  en- 
tered a  temperance  float  that  has  become  a  legend.  This  was  about  1895. 
The  float  was  improvised  on  a  hay  rack.  On  it,  girls  dressed  in  white 
sang  a  song  entitled  "Saloons  Must  Go".  Other  children  were  chained 
to  beer  kegs,  and  a  sign  read  "The  Drunkard's  Family".  When  the 
parade  was  over  several  of  the  children  got  a  sound  spanking  at  home 
for  their  pains.  It  seems  that  some  of  the  fathers  were  none  too  pleased 
in  being  labeled  drunkards,  particularly  those  who  could  not  be  ac- 
curately described  as  teetotallers  themselves. 


CARRIE  NATION  DID  NOT  AXE  US 

Carrie  Nation,  the  famous  hatchet-woman  and  scourge  of  saloons, 
paid  Mendota  a  visit  on  August  5,  of  1904.  She  was  met  at  the  depot 
by  a  large  crowd  of  women  and  a  host  of  curious  small  boys.  Appar- 
ently none  of  the  drinking  crowd  showed  up  to  be  tempted  by  refor- 
mation, for  Carrie  Nation  in  her  speech  from  the  depot  cried  out: 
"Well,  if  we  can't  save  the  old  hogs,  we  can  help  the  little  pigs."  Then 
she  boarded  the  train  for  a  chautauqua  appearance  in  a  neighboring 
town,  not  even  deigning  to  smash  so  little  as  one  Mendota  bar  or 
mirror. 


148 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


A  temperance  crusade  at  one  time  occupied  the  attention  of  the 
ladies  of  the  town,  who  went  to  pray  at  the  doors  of  the  saloons. 
At  one  place  they  were  badly  frightened  when  the  proprietor  rushed 
out  crying  "I'll  get  Tom."  Tom  was  the  town  policeman.  The  ladies 
thought  he  said,  "I'll  get  a  gun!" 

There  were  numerous  local  option  elections,  and  the  town  went 
"wet"  by  about  a  325  majority  in  most  such  tests  of  public  sentiment. 
The  barkeepers  had  an  association,  and  on  one  occasion  voluntarily 
changed  the  closing  time  from  11  p.m.  to  10  p.m.,  which  remained  in 
effect  for  a  number  of  years. 

There  was  a  spirited  trial  of  a  night  policeman,  one  Daniel  O'Kane, 
in  1877.  The  editor  writing  the  account  said  "every  time  he  had 
a  saloon  open  up  after  hours  it  was  to  accommodate  Alderman  Coleman 
and  his  friends."  The  trial  wound  up  with  an  oyster  supper  for  all 
concerned  at  Meisenbach's. 


THE  END  —  OR  THE  BEGINNING? 

Came  the  early  1900's,  then  the  first  world  war.  And  national 
prohibition. 

It  was  a  sad  day  in  July,  1919,  when  the  final  day  of  legal  liquor 
arrived  on  the  Mendota  scene  ...  a  sad  day  for  inhabitants  of  the  beer 
parlors.  The  final  day  of  doom  was  on  a  Monday.  Many  had 
carted  home  suitcases  full  of  the  hard  stuff,  packed  it  in  cellars  and 
hide-away  places,  intent  on  retaining  for  a  time  at  least  a  last  vestige 
of  their  right  to  pursue  the  road  to  ruin  if  they  saw  fit.  Many  a 
patron  showed  up  when  the  doors  were  opened,  stayed  all  day  sadly 
sipping  the  amber  fluid  and  crying  into  his  beer.  Never  was  there 
such  a  concentration  of  forces  in  the  bars  of  the  city,  not  even  on  the 
day  in  1933  that  liquors  were  again  legalized.  But  the  crowds  were 
orderly. 

It  is  said  that  there  was  little  gayety.  It  was  as  if  the  effects  of 
booze  had  left  them  inert  and  lifeless.  Mr.  Booz  when  he  had  been  so 
vigorously  advertising  his  famous  Booz  Whiskey  over  the  years  little 
realized  that  from  his  name  would  be  derived  a  word  that  would  come 
into  the  American  language  as  a  synonym  of  evil  drink.  When  the 
closing  hour  had  come,  there  began  an  era  that  was  not  to  end  until 
14  years  later. 

The  Reporter  interviewed  the  saloon-keepers  as  to  their  plans  for 
the  future.  "MANY  SALOONS  WILL  CONTINUE  IN  BUSINESS" 
headlined  the  Reporter.    Among  those  who  stated  they  would  continue, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


149 


selling  legal  soft  drinks,  were  Frank  Reichardt,  Phil  Weber,  James 
Pollock,  John  Landgraf,  Hotel  Faber  Buffet,  and  John  Faber.  Kauf- 
man Brothers  had  not  decided.  But  Hub  Kaufman  was  still  in  business 
at  the  same  old  stand  when  prohibition  was  repealed  in  1933.  His 
buffalo  and  deer  heads  had  looked  down  on  some  lugubrious  scenes 
during  those  14  dry  years,  but  Hub  was  ready  for  business  with  the 
same  mahogany  bar  and  oak-top  tables  that  had  been  so  long  a  part 
of  the  local  scene. 

Only  two  of  the  saloon  proprietors  decided  to  throw  in  the  sponge 
and  quit  business.  They  were  Perry  Safeblade,  and  Dreimueller  and 
Spitz.  Nearly  everybody  thought  that  prohibition  wouldn't  last  long. 
Most  proprietors  decided  on  a  policy  of  wait  and  see. 


HARD  DAYS  AT  "THE  OFFICE" 

Phil  Weber,  who  had  vowed  to  continue,  soon  found  that  there 
was  no  place  for  a  near-beer  parlor  in  a  Sahara  created  by  law.  His 
place  was  a  morgue.  In  two  weeks  he  closed  down  and  sold  his  equip- 
ment —  equipment  and  fixtures  that  had  cost  $10,000  went  for  only 
$400.    This  included  his  pride  and  joy,  the  French  bevel  mirror. 

But  Phil  had  run  quite  a  place.  He  went  in  with  his  father, 
Phil  Weber  Sr.  in  the  basement  where  the  Williar  barber  shop  is  now 
located,  in  1892.  In  1903  they  bought  out  Bill  Hoerner  where  Austin's 
Chatterbox  is  now  located.  According  to  all  reports  it  was  a  grand 
place,  with  a  fancy  tile  floor,  a  long  mahogany  bar,  and  the  French 
bevel  back  mirror  —  the  most  splendiferous  thing  of  its  kind  in  La 
Salle  county. 

Phil  called  it  "the  office."  Thus  if  a  customer,  home  late,  were 
harried  as  to  his  whereabouts,  he  could  in  truth  say  he  had  been  at  "the 
office." 

Upon  one  occasion  Phil,  Mike  Elsesser,  and  Billy  Florschuetz  de- 
cided to  take  a  train  tour  of  the  west.  His  friends  and  patrons  sent 
them  off  in  style.  With  burning  flares  lining  a  path  across  the  street 
to  the  railroad  station,  plus  a  band  proudly  playing,  they  escorted 
Phil  and  his  pals  to  the  depot,  carrying  them  on  their  shoulders,  to  see 
them  on  their  way. 

Small  towns  occasionally  were  visited  by  a  man  with  a  grind 
organ  and  a  trained  bear.  On  one  occasion  such  a  pair  stopped  in 
front  of  John  Faber's  saloon  on  Jefferson  street.  Patrons  brought  out 
foaming  steins  of  beer  and  gave  freely  to  organ  grinder  and  bear.    This 


150         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


was  apparently,  to  show  their  appreciation  of  good  music.  Bear  and 
organ  grinder  both  became  tipsy,  and  there  is  no  evidence  that  any 
Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals  representative  so  much 
as  laid  a  restraining  hand. 

*         *         # 

If  this  was  the  end  of  an  era,  it  was  the  beginning  of  another. 
Nineteen-nineteen  ushered  in  the  era  of  bathtub  gin,  speakeasies,  stills, 
rum-running,  bootleggers,  home  brew,  and  "prescription  whiskey  for 
medicinal  purposes  only." 

The  speakeasies  operated  at  first  furtively,  and  later  almost  openly. 
Enforcement  was  left  to  state  and  federal  officers.  Locally  most  com- 
munities winked  at  violations,  and  Mendota  was  no  exception.  Since 
no  liquor  taxes  were  involved,  one  could  always  go  down  a  dark 
alley,  down  into  a  dark,  cobwebby  basement,  where,  if  known,  you 
passed  over  a  couple  of  dollars  and  received  a  pint  of  excruciatingly 
raw  stuff  that  tasted  like  whiskey  and  no  questions  asked  about  its 
vintage. 


IN  THE  BACK  STREETS 

Places  opened  up  in  the  strangest  places  —  little  places  at  the 
edge  of  town,  dingy  homes,  and  even  out  in  the  country. 

One  such  opened  for  business  in  about  1926  at  Culton  Station,  on 
the  Illinois  Central,  south  of  Mendota.  They  let  the  word  get  around. 
Soon  there  were  customers  aplenty,  for  they  not  only  dispensed  beer 
and  liquor,  but  in  addition  offered  the  charms  of  girls  of  easy  virtue. 
They  operated  openly  for  a  couple  months,  but  were  raided  and 
arrested. 

Sobriety  has  always  been  considered  a  virtue  in  Mendota,  and 
drunkenness  punished  by  arrest.  In  1867  a  newspaper  account  stated 
that  any  man  or  woman  found  drunk  was  immediately  put  in  jail  until 
sober,  then  tried  for  the  offense.  The  line  between  exhilaration  and 
drunkenness  being  often  a  thin  one,  and  the  police  force  being  limited 
by  the  economic  means  at  the  city's  disposal,  actual  arrest  has  usually 
been  limited  to  disorderly  conduct. 

Many  a  peaceful  vagrant  has  slept  off  his  stupor  in  the  city  jail, 
as  guests  of  the  community,  and  ushered  on  his  way  the  next  morning 
without  benefit  of  arrest  or  trial. 

When,  in  1933,  prohibition  was  repealed,  three  classes  of  licenses 
for  "taverns"  were  set  up.     Class  A  for  retail  liquor,   Class  B  for 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         151 


wholesale,  each  at  $100.     Class  C  are  club  licenses,  issued  to  clubs, 
lodges,  and  fraternal  orders  who  sell  only  to  members. 


NOT  ALL  WAS  THE  HARD  STUFF 

Our  readers  who  may  gain  the  impression  from  the  foregoing 
that  Mendotans  were  industriously  hitting  the  bottle  can  take  consola* 
tion  in  the  fact  that  a  thriving  soft  drink  business  was  also  done  in  the 
town.  The  first  bottling  company,  known  as  the  Mendota  Health  Com- 
pany and  operated  by  George  Blanchard,  was  located  on  Washington 
street  where  the  telephone  office  is  now  situated. 

The  Wohler  bottling  house  started  business  in  the  home  now  occu- 
pied by  Emma  Millard.  Later  this  business,  operated  by  Fred  and  Ed 
Wohler,  set  up  a  business  bottling  pop  and  soft  drinks  and  making 
ice  cream  in  the  building  now  housing  the  H.  D.  Hume  Company 
office. 

They  drove  a  well  for  a  water  supply  and  the  pipe  is  still  there. 
Jim  Andrews  took  over  this  business,  and  later  Dan  Pohl  and  Carl 
Yost.  Dan  Pohl  moved  the  business  to  the  Odd  Fellows  building,  which 
was  later  purchased  and  operated  by  Al  Hebel. 

George  Full  had  a  bottling  business  on  Main  Street. 

The  Mendota  of  1904  which  had  a  population  of  about  3,500  and 
supported  at  least  21  saloons,  might  regard  the  Mendota  of  1953  as 
being  quite  mellowed  and  soft.  The  city,  with  nearly  5,500  population, 
has  eight  taverns  within  its  city  limits  plus  three  club  licenses.  There 
are  five  taverns  on  the  outskirts  of  town  which  are  under  Mendota 
Township  regulation. 


RESTRICTION  ON  LICENSES 

The  number  of  taverns  within  the  city  is  now  restricted  to  nine 
by  city  ordinance,  plus  a  limit  of  three  club  licenses.  After  the  limit 
of  nine  permits  is  reached,  the  city  must  increase  another  thousand 
in  population  before  an  additional  license  will  be  granted.  This 
ordinance  went  into  effect  April  16,  1951.  Before  this  there  were 
no  closed  classes  for  liquor.  A  license  now  costs  $540,  except  for  clubs 
which  operate  with  same  opening  hours  as  taverns,  for  whom  the  license 
is  $425.  There  are  two  section  two  licenses  at  $325,  where  the  hours 
are  6  p.m.  to  1  a.m.  and  on  Sundays  2  p.m.  to  midnight.    These  may 


152 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


purchase  special  one-day  permits  for  sale  of  liquor  throughout  the 
day,  on  special  occasions  only,  at  $10  per  day,  with  a  limit  to  12  such 
permits  a  year. 

*         *         * 

A  fabulous  saloon  proprietor  way  back  when  was  one  "Fish 
Mike".  His  real  name  was  Michael  Leffelman,  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Wilson,  Whitmore,  Leffelman  and  Heiman  —  which  sounds  like  a 
firm  of  attorneys.  They  ran  a  saloon  and  sold  groceries  as  well. 
Customers  were  always  sure  of  taking  home  some  solid  food. 

Leffelman  was  named  "Fish  Mike"  because  he  sold  so  many  fish 
to  people  who  happened  along  the  way. 

The  story  is  told  of  an  exploit  of  Fish  Mike's  in  respect  to  the 
huge  old  locomotive  weather-vane  which  stood  atop  the  tower  on  the 
old  Mendota  union  depot.  One  day  there  was  a  group  of  workmen 
making  repairs  on  the  weather-vane.  The  subject  of  the  height  and 
size  of  the  vane  came  up  in  a  discussion  at  the  saloon.  Mike  offered  to 
bet  $5  that  he  could  go  up  there  and  actually  stand  on  top  of  the  engine. 
They  took  up  the  bet.  Undaunted,  Fish  Mike  went  over,  crawled  up 
the  outside  of  the  roof  where  the  men  were  at  work,  mounted  the  engine 
and  waved  to  his  friends  standing  below  on  the  street.  He  won  the 
$5. 

Such  were  the  good  old  days. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         153 


its  an  Old 

german  custom 


C 


ook  eight  ounces  noodles  until  tender.  Stew  one  pound  prunes. 
Drain  noodles  and  put  into  serving  dish.  Sprinkle  with  buttered, 
browned  bread  crumbs.  Pour  sweetened  prunes  on  top.  Serve  hot  as 
main  dish  on  "Good  Friday." 

Yes,  sir!  It's  an  old  German  custom,  of  which  several  are  still 
observed  here  by  persons  of  German  descent.  (The  prunes,  inci- 
dentally, may  be  substituted  for  by  prunes  and  apricots,  just  plain 
apricots,  or  cherry  sauce.     The  dish  is  considered  a  fast  delicacy.) 

Lent  provides  another  opportunity  for  the  observance  of  a  popu- 
lar custom.  On  Fastknacht  (Shrove  Tuesday,  the  day  before  Ash 
Wednesday),  ladies  whose  abilities  include  the  special  knack  of  yeast 
cookery  shape   dough  into  krapfen    (raised  doughnuts). 

A  generation  ago,  the  sweets  were  formed  into  balls,  after  which 
the  cook  would  pull  the  center  of  the  ball  out  so  that  a  pocket  was 
formed  in  the  doughnut  as  it  cooked.  Today  the  specialty  is  usually 
centered  with  a  hole,  and  frosted. 

The  Lutheran  Ladies  Aid  traditionally  serves  home-made  krapfen 
at  a  Shrove  Tuesday  social  each  year,  and  the  dessert  is  still  served 
in  a  few  homes. 

Sausage  parties  climaxed  butchering  time  on  farms.  On  the  eve- 
ning of  the  day  a  farmer  butchered,  he  prepared  and  put  into  casings 
a  variety  of  sausages,  then  invited  friends  over  to  sample  the  freshly- 
made  food  and  to  make  merry.  This  custom  still  persisted  two  decades 
ago. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         155 


Potatoes  are  a  staple  ingredient  of  much  German  cookery,  and 
many  local  housewives  treat  their  families  with  kartoffel  Kloesse  (potato 
dumplings)  or  hot  potato  salad.  Other  foods  beside  the  potato  salad 
which  feature  sour  sauces  are  jellied  goose  meat,  sour  meats  of  various 
types,  such  as  sauerbraten  or  sour  herring),  and  sauerkraut  with 
noodles.  The  gefillte  (filled)  noodle,  a  type  of  dumpling  filled  with  a 
meat,  bread  and  egg  mixture,  is  delicious  with  brown  butter. 

Celery  holders,  now  antique  collectors'  items,  were  at  one  time 
seen  on  all  properly  set  tables,  although  the  custom  probably  was  not 
of  German  origin.  Often  made  of  glass,  the  holders  were  tall  and 
slender,  like  the  celery  stalks  they  held.  One  resident  (Mrs.  Selina 
Hubler)  recalls  the  time  when  she,  as  a  little  girl,  decided  to  buy  a 
celery  holder  as  a  gift  for  her  mother. 

Well  drilled  in  the  thrifty  school  of  "don't-consider-it-unless-it- 
wears-well",  the  little  girl  chose  a  holder  at  a  local  store  and  then 
asked  the  clerk,  "Do  you  think  it  will  wear  well?" 

"Oh,  yes,"  replied  the  amused  woman.  "Why,  your  mamma  could 
hit  you  over  the  head  with  it  and  it  wouldn't  break." 


FROM   PILLAR  TO  "POST" 

Another  turn-of-the-century  custom  which  has  persisted  and  is 
still  utilized  today  is  that  of  "posting"  a  man  whose  alcoholism  has 
led  to  financial  distress  for  his  family. 

The  wife  of  an  excessive  drinker,  by  paying  a  dollar  fee,  may 
request  the  city  to  "post"  her  husband's  name  at  the  taverns.  If,  after 
that,  the  husband  is  served  liquor  at  a  tavern  the  wife  may  sue  the 
proprietor,  and  only  she  may  have  the  name  removed  from  the  list. 

In  1876,  one  of  the  local  papers  reported  that  "eight  persons  are 
now  posted  as  habitual  drunkards,  including  one  woman,  "Aunt  Ellen." 
Membership  in  this  "exclusive  club"  now  varies  between  15  and  40 
at  any  given  time. 

Unfortunately,  however,  the  custom  is  somewhat  abused,  the  dollar 
fee  having  decreased  in  value  through  the  years.  After  a  tearful  scene 
with  her  husband,  the  woman  may  relent  in  a  few  weeks,  have  the 
name  removed,  only  to  go  running  back  to  the  clerk's  office  a  few 
days  later  to  put  her  husband's  name  back  on  the  list,  the  unrepentant 
spouse  having  just  been  out  on  another  "bender."  Thus  the  poster  is 
kept  constantly  on  the  run. 

Many  of  the  German  names  so  familiar  to  Mendota  can  be  readily 
translated  into  English  meanings.    Centuries  ago,  some  of  them  were 


156 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


given  to  or  taken  by  a  man  to  indicate  his  occupation,  i.e.,  Joerger 
means  hunter;  Dierwechter,  doorkeeper;  Koch,  cook;  Baumgartner, 
tree  gardner;  Gutknecht,  good  servant;  Bauer,  farmer;  Mueller,  miller, 
and  Meyer,  farmer. 

Other  German  names,  familiar  to  Mendotans,  and  their  English 
translations,  include: 

Mehl,  flour;  Klein,  small;  Saueressig,  sour  vinegar;  Stein,  stone; 
Theurer,  expensive;  Hochstatter,  person  of  some  prestige;  Funfsinn, 
a  combination  of  the  words  "five"  and  "sense";  Truckenbrod,  dry 
bread;  Preston,  combination  of  "priest"  and  "town";  Katzwinkel,  cat's 
square  (a  carpenter's  measure) ;  Engelbrecht,  bright  angel. 

From  other  nationalities  come  other  names.  The  Montagnoli  fam- 
ily (originally  from  the  land  of  the  Alps)  derives  its  name  from  "great 
mountain."  Wild  Bill  Hickok's  surname  was  originally  spelled  Hitch- 
cock, of  English  origin.  Pottinger  is  an  English  term  for  cook,  and 
Moogk,  Dutch  for  housefly. 

*         *         * 

Another  old  German  custom  is  the  posting  of  funeral  notices  on 
the  doors  of  business  houses,  stating  name  of  the  deceased  and  time 
and  place  of  funeral  services.  These  little  black-bordered  notices  are 
always  a  curiosity  to  newcomers. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


157 


"E 


AST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE 
ALL  AROUND  THE  TOWN" 


T 


HE  fire  bell  tolls  out  its  fierce  warning  of  disaster.  Somewhere 
in  the  early  Mendota  built  mainly  of  wooden  structures  there  is  a 
conflagration. 

It  might  be  the  Volk  Vinegar  works  on  the  East  Side  ...  or  it 
might  be  a  carriage  shop  on  the  West  Side.  Men  rush  to  their  hose- 
carts.  The  East  Side  hose  company  races  away  to  fight  the  flames. 
There  is  a  clang  of  bells  and  sound  of  racing  feet  as  the  West  Side 
hose  company  also  flees  toward  the  roaring,  snapping  flames.  Both 
hose  companies  rush  to  reach  the  fire  first,  as  the  rivalry  between  the 
two  brigades  is  at  tense  pitch.  And  both  fight  the  flames  until  the 
last  smoldering  ember  is  out. 

That  was  the  Mendota  of  the  early  days. 

Three  sets  of  parallel  railroad  tracks  divided  the  city.  Each  side 
set  up  its  separate  schools,  and  merchants  on  both  sides  of  the  tracks 
vied  with  one  another  for  patronage.  Each  side  of  town,  if  legend  is 
to  be  believed,  fiercely  fought  the  other. 

Just  how  pronounced  was  this  feuding?  And  were  the  rivalries 
as  bitter  as  the  unsupported  tales  that  come  down  to  us? 

Your  Centennial  historians  have  attempted  to  seek  out  documen- 
tary evidence.  We  would  indeed  have  to  bury  our  head  in  the  sands 
to  pretend  that  there  is  not  an  "East  Side,  West  Side,  and  North  End". 
Mendota  is  undeniably  divided  geographically  by  its  three  sets  of 
railroad  tracks.    Each  side  has  its  schools,  but  no  longer  its  rival  fire 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP  159 


brigades.  Each  side  has  its  splendid  parks,  fine  residences,  well-kept 
gardens,  and  paved  streets. 

Citizens  of  both  sides  unite  in  harmonious  support  of  all  worth- 
while civic  projects. 

Was  there  truly  a  day  when  the  town  was  racked  with  bloody 
dissention  ? 

Every  town,  in  its  origin,  seems  to  have  some  division  line  such 
as  a  railroad,  river  or  creek  which  has  presumably  resulted  in  rival 
factions.  Sometimes  these  divided  parts  are  fanned  by  racial  differ- 
ences, or  differences  in  economic  status.  Often  there  is  a  cleavage 
in  the  evaluation  of  social  prestige  with  "those  from  across  the  tracks." 

In  consulting  newspaper  files  and  in  interviews  with  old  timers, 
it  seems  that  many  of  these  antagonisms  were  chiefly  legend.  True, 
there  were  minor  clashes  from  time  to  time  between  groups  and  indi- 
viduals of  immigrants  from  Europe  where  rivalries  flared  up  on  ac- 
count of  differences  in  language  and  dress  and  customs. 


"THE   BLOODY  THIRD" 

As  evidence  of  this  a  part  of  the  town  still  goes  by  the  name  of 
"the  bloody  third."  These  feuds  date  back  to  the  decades  of  the  sixties, 
seventies,  and  eighties. 

It  is  related  that  many  of  these  altercations  took  place  on  Sundays 
after  church.  The  East  Siders,  presumably  mainly  Irish,  preferred 
whiskey.  The  West  Siders,  presumably  German,  preferred  beer.  They 
would  drink  and  argue,  drink  and  argue,  until  frequently  their  differ- 
ences would  break  out  in  open  fighting.  These  "brawls,"  so  the  legend 
goes,  usually  took  place  on  neutral  ground  at  Sixth  street  and  the 
tracks. 

Free  public  schools  were  just  beginning  to  be  established.  The 
railroad  being  a  division  line  and  a  hazard  for  children  to  cross,  two 
grade  school  districts  were  formed  with  separate  school  administra- 
tions. They  remained  separate  until  the  beginning  of  the  present  cen- 
tury. But  this  did  not  bring  about  any  apparent  friction.  There  were 
no  extreme  athletic  rivalries  in  those  days. 

In  1883  there  appeared  in  the  local  paper  this  item:  "Prominent 
businessmen  of  the  East  Side  complain,  and  justly,  too,  that  while  they 
are  bearing  their  burden  of  taxation  for  the  support  of  the  East  Side 
school,  they  are  obliged  on  account  of  the  location  of  their  business 
to  contribute  largely  to  the  support  of  the  West  Side  school,  from 
which  they  do  not  directly  receive  any  benefits." 


160 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


At  that  time  the  East  Side  school  suffered  because  it  lacked  funds 
from  taxes  to  keep  up  with  the  West  Side  in  building,  equipment,  and 
teaching  personnel.  For  many  years  now  the  taxes  have  been  equitably 
applied  to  the  whole  school  system. 


ON  NEUTRAL   GROUND 

From  an  interested  bystander's  point  of  view,  Mendota  displayed 
an  extreme  judicial  decision  in  placing  the  high  school  in  the  neutral 
locality  where  it  is  now  located,  in  the  North  End,  with  its  beautiful 
campus. 

Both  sides  have  contributed  progressive  mayors  and  civic  leaders. 

In  former  years  the  taxes  for  improvements  in  streets  and  sewers 
were  distributed  to  the  sections  that  paid  the  most  taxes.  Now  each 
property  owner  pays  for  the  improvements  that  are  voted  by  the  major- 
ity of  owners  on  his  street.  Pride  in  having  equal  streets  and  sanitary 
facilities  does  away  with  ward  rivalries. 

Each  of  the  two  independent  schools  formerly  had  its  separate 
commencement  exercises.  Finally,  in  the  growing  harmony  of  the 
two  sides  of  town,  a  common  graduation  ceremony  was  decided  upon. 
It  was  to  be  held  in  the  Opera  House  on  the  West  Side.  There  were 
dire  predictions  that  the  event  would  end  in  a  melee.  The  union  gradu- 
ation was  held.  The  Valedictorians  delivered  their  class  orations  and 
the  Salutatorians  saluted.  Everything  came  off  in  grand  style,  without 
incident. 

*       *       * 

All  this  is  not  to  say  that  "boys  will  not  be  boys."  There  were 
rivalries  among  the  fledglings.  Some  of  them  between  boys  on  neigh- 
boring streets,  and  others  between  the  boys  of  the  two  sides  of  town. 
The  late  80's  and  early  90's  were  exciting  times,  for  the  boys  grew 
up  to  defend  themselves  ably  at  fisticuffs.  They  believed  in  self  ex- 
pression, often  seen  in  the  form  of  a  flying  fist  and  a  fast  kick  in  the 
shins. 

One  fine  day  the  boys  of  the  two  public  schools  challenged  each 
other  to  a  fight.  One  group  gathered  some  stout  clubs  and  took  their 
dogs  with  them  as  they  started  off  for  school.  The  clubs  were  hidden 
and  the  dogs  tied  in  vacant  lots  back  of  the  school.  This  was  to  escape 
detection  by  the  teachers. 

That  afternoon  just  before  dismissal,  one  of  the  teachers  looked 
out  the  window.  What  should  she  see  but  about  40  boys  lined  up 
across  the  street  in  back  of  a  high  wooden  fence.   The  principal  was 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


161 


immediately  summoned.  Students  were  told  they  would  have  to  remain 
after  school.  In  the  meantime,  the  police,  school  board  members  and 
some  plain  citizens  were  summoned. 

The  boys  hiding  behind  and  along  the  fence  were  met  by  their 
elders  and  sent  packing  to  their  homes.  Not  until  then  were  the  pupils 
dismissed.  They  slumped  away,  collecting  their  clubs  and  dogs  as  they 
went.    No  fight  that  day. 

*         *         * 

But  there  was  another  time,  and  the  fight  came  off  before  teachers 
or  elders  learned  of  the  plot.  The  scene  of  the  battle  was  from  the  Kohl 
residence  on  Peoria  avenue  (now  known  as  Pennsylvania  avenue)  to 
the  Gross  corner  at  Jefferson  street.  There  was  a  howling  mass  of 
fighting,  shrieking  boys.  They  were  yelling,  punching,  and  tossing 
each  other  in  the  dusty  street. 

Word  passed  through  the  riot  that  the  town  marshall  had  been 
summoned  to  quell  the  disturbance.  By  the  time  the  police  arrived  the 
boys  had  quietly  disappeared.  All  except  one  bloody  lad,  his  head 
bowed  and  bleeding  from  a  mass  of  cuts  and  scratches.  No  one  ever 
knew  —  or  at  least  told  —  the  identity  of  those  involved  in  the  melee. 

The  young  fry  from  the  "bloody  third"  had  protection  all  their 
own  in  a  group  of  sturdy  youngsters  known  as  Coxie's  Army.  Boys 
coming  from  other  wards  thirsting  for  a  fight  got  it  when  they  met 
up  with  the  Coxie  band.  Legend  has  it  that  they  were  fine  fighters 
and  usually  victorious. 

Lee  Scott  relates  in  his  memoirs  that  there  were  opposing  groups 
of  boys  here,  with  the  railroad  as  the  dividing  line.  If  the  "bloody 
third"  ventured  over  on  the  west  side  of  town  there  was  sure  to  be 
a  fight,  he  writes,  adding  that  he  himself  was  a  regular  participant. 
Many  a  day  he  went  home  with  a  "shiner,"  but  he  can't  recall  having 
been  punished  because  of  it.  He  did  lose  the  end  of  a  finger  in  a 
mower   accident,   but  a  boyhood   chum  literally   "glued   it  back  on." 


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MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Wi 


ING  DING  TONIGHT! 


S 


'tep  right  up,  folks!  See  the  largest  rhinoceros  in  captivity — the 
only  trained  rhino  in  the  world ! " 

Thousands  of  Mendotans  have  yielded  to  the  cry  of  the  Big  Top 
barker  through  a  century  of  Dan  Rice,  Ringling  Brothers,  Barnum's, 
and  many  lesser  circus  groups. 

In  1858,  in  fact,  the  aforementioned  rhinoceros  in  Dan  Rice's 
Great  Show  attracted  local  citizens  to  the  tune  of  $1,200.  This  amused 
the  circus  performers,  who  thought  Mendotans  "green"  for  being  so 
loose  with  their  25  and  50  cent  coins.  The  audience,  however,  had 
the  last  laugh  for  the  horned  monster  which  so  attracted  them  bogged 
down  in  the  mud  between  here  and  Ottawa.  The  rhino  and  his  car, 
together  weighing  9,100  pounds,  were  finally  rescued  by  an  elephant, 
which  hooked  its  trunk  under  the  hind  axle  and  pushed  "with  the 
power  of  a  locomotive."  Handy  fellow,  that  elephant — he  also 
doubled  as  the  show's  tightrope  performer. 

Mendota  was  the  birthplace  of  a  lion  in  1876  when  Howes' 
Menagerie  performed  here.  The  baby  cat  was  born  in  the  morning 
and  shown  in  the  evening.    The  show  must  go  on! 

Shortly  after  the  turn  of  the  century,  a  group  of  circus  performers 
caused  a  riot  at  the  railroad  station.  With  their  thirst  for  spirits 
thoroughly  quenched  but  their  spirits  not  a  bit  dampened,  the  circus 
folks  began  to  quarrel  among  themselves.  When  the  arguments 
turned  into  fisticuffs,  a  gentleman  from  Kentucky  named  Ike  Ramey, 
also  waiting  for  a  train,  settled  the  whole  affair  by  firing  his  pistol  a 
few  times.     The  depot  door  carried  the  proof  of  the  ruckus — several 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


163 


bullet  holes.  And  the  gentleman  from  Kentucky?  He  settled  on  a 
farm  west  of  Earlville  until  his  death  several  years  ago. 

Ringling  Brothers  circus  played  Mendota  in  July,  1917.  The 
band,  astride  lively  horses,  led  the  morning  parade  along  dusty  dirt 
streets  to  thrill  not  only  the  small  fry  watching  eagerly  at  the  curbs 
but  also  their  mamas,  protected  from  the  hot  sun  by  parasols,  and  their 
perspiring  papas  as  well.  Barnum's  circus  performed  for  13,000  in 
1884! 

Miss  Wixom's  half  block,  north  of  the  Eastside  school,  was  the 
scene  of  "Star  Shows  and  Congress  of  Trained  Wild  Animals"  in  May, 
1905.    Mendotans  viewed  the  events  in  three  large  tents. 

Occasionally  a  circus  still  comes  to  town,  parades  the  downtown 
area  and  then  sets  up  business  at  the  fair  grounds,  but  never  are  these 
appearances  as  frequent  as  in  years  gone  by  (when  three  or  four 
appeared  each  season,  usually  on  the  "Y")  nor  perhaps  as  fabulous. 

Plays,  too,  were  a  favorite  type  of  entertainment.  Some  popular 
standbys,  such  as  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  and  "Taming  of  the  Shrew", 
were  produced  many  times.  A  December,  1868,  issue  of  the  news- 
paper advertises  Varney's  Theatrical  Group,  which  in  three  nights  at 
Pool's  hall  enacted  "10  Nights  in  a  Bar-room,"  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin," 
"The  Stranger,"  and  "Handy  Andy."  The  Mendota  Dramatic  Com- 
pany was  active  the  same  year.  A  decade  earlier  the  same  paper  had 
lamented:  "What  has  become  of  the  Amateur  Dramatic  Association? 
Give  us  a  little  something  to  keep  us  awake  this  dull  winter." 

And  in  answer  to  the  suggestion,  the  National  Dramatic  Troupe 
of  Mendota  was  formed  to  enliven  the  "dull  winter"  of  '58-'59  in 
Mendota  and  nearby  towns. 

From  out  of  town  came  many  other  performers  to  entertain  at 
Pool's  hall.  In  1869  there  was  Tom  Thumb  and  his  wife.  ("No  one 
should  die  without  having  seen  Tom  Thumb  and  wife,  the  smallest 
couple  in  the  world.") 

"Blind  Tom,"  the  brilliant  though  uneducated  Negro  pianist, 
played  another  time.  A  prestidigitator,  many  phrenologists,  debators 
by  the  score,  Swiss  bell  ringers,  a  velocipedienne,  and  health  lecturers 
were  received  by  Mendota  audiences. 

Dancing  was  undoubtedly  among  the  highlights  of  the  available 
entertainment.  Dances  were  held  almost  weekly  through  the  years, 
sometimes  more  often.  A  calico  dress  ball  at  the  Music  Hall  (1859) 
drew  young  and  old  from  a  50-mile  radius.  New  calico  dresses  were 
sewed  or  purchased  for  the  occasion,  and  husbands  and  fathers,  assured 
beforehand  that  this  simple  type  of  dance  would  surely  be  economical, 
complained  later  that  the  calico  came  more  dearly  than  any  silk  fabric. 


164 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


However,  the  affair  was  repeated  in  1871  at  Pool's  hall. 

"Select  dress  balls,"  many  masquerade  balls,  grand  balls,  leap 
year  balls — all  meant  a  gay  time  midst  crowds  of  friends.  Pool's  hall, 
Erlenborn's  hall,  the  old  beer  garden,  Kuney's  hall,  the  Illinois  Central 
Freight  House — all  were  scenes  of  festivity.  And  to  help  the  folks  who 
wanted  to  improve  their  dancing  style,  Professor  George  Williams 
opened  a  class  in  etiquette  and  dancing  at  Pool's  hall  in  1869. 

The  masquerade  ball  to  end  all  masquerades  was  that  held  at 
Turner's  hall  in  February  of  1883 — it  featured  a  masquerade  on 
roller  skates! 

As  should  be  evident  by  now,  Pool's  hall  in  Pohl's  hotel  (and  no 
one  knows  why  the  two  were  spelled  differently),  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  gathering  places  of  the  last  century.  Citizens  of  the  town 
frequently  promoted  renovations  for  the  building — better  ventilation, 
benches  and  later  chairs,  new  stoves,  fresh  paint.  And  just  as  movie 
proprietors  of  today  cope  with  such  youthful  vandalism  as  knife-gashed 
seats,  so  Pool's  operators  faced  the  problems  of  walls  defaced  by 
pencils  and  knives. 

The  sizable  German  portion  of  the  population  brought  gaiety 
and  fun  to  the  town.  One  of  their  organizations,  the  Mendota  Turn- 
verein,  organized  in  1873,  was  social  in  purpose,  and  included  physical 
culture  among  its  activities.  The  society  counted  50  members,  and 
boasted  a  brass  band  of  12  musicians,  directed  by  John  Gross. 

In  1883,  the  Turners,  as  they  were  called,  planned  the  erection 
of  an  Opera  House  west  of  the  Public  Library,  the  site  being  selected 
because  it  was  far  enough  from  the  business  center  to  avoid  the  noises 
from  the  railroads  but  near  enough  to  be  convenient  to  all.  The  hall 
was  completed  in  1884  at  a  cost  of  $8,000.  The  basement  was  for  the 
exclusive  use  of  the  society  and  was  equipped  with  such  gymnastic 
equipment  as  turn  poles  and  bars.  It  continued  as  a  community 
center  until  1914. 

Washington  hall,  located  on  the  second  floor  of  the  present  Yohn 
and  Kaiser  stores,  opened  in  1871  with  space  for  balls  and  a  stage  for 
performers.  The  social  set,  the  "400"  of  Mendota,  held  private  parties 
in  Eckert's  hall,  the  second  story  of  today's  A  &  P  store,  around  1900. 
The  Passenger  House,  too,  was  the  scene  of  lively  dances  prior  to  1885. 


FLICKERING  SHADOWS 

Mendota's  first  movie  house  was  the  Palace,  which  was  operated 
by  Carl  Schwarz  in  the  location  now  occupied  by  the  Ben  Franklin 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


165 


store.  The  first  shows  were  not  movies,  but  instead  consisted  of  slides 
which  were  flashed  on  the  screen  containing  the  lyrics  to  currently- 
popular  songs.  While  an  organist  or  pianist  provided  accompaniment, 
the  audience  thus  joined  in  community  singing,  a  form  of  entertain- 
ment which  is  still  occasionally  presented,  but  seldom  participated 
in  by  the  audience,  in  movie  short  subjects. 

Competing  with  the  Palace  for  the  entertainment  dollar  was  the 
German  Opera  House,  which  had  a  straight  floor,  and  was  used  for 
such  various  purposes  as  shows,  dances,  and  poultry  shows. 

In  1912,  E.  J.  Degenhardt,  who  was  operating  a  five-chair  barber- 
shop on  Jefferson  street,  suddenly  became  convinced  that  the  "flickers" 
were  more  than  a  mere  novelty,  that  they  offered  an  intriguing  challenge 
and  a  remunerative  future. 

Accordingly,  he  purchased  the  property  cornering  Jefferson  Street 
and  Illinois  Avenue.  He  intended  to  build  a  theater  occupying  the 
whole  of  the  property,  but  costs  necessitated  the  construction  of  a 
smaller  showhouse  seating  400. 

When  Degenhardt's  Princess  opened,  the  population  of  Mendota 
had  dropped  to  3,700,  but  the  wily  operator  took  membership  in  the 
Pantages  Vaudeville  circuit,  and  was  able  to  offer  the  community 
big  stage  shows,  stock  companies  and  big-time  vaudeville,  as  well  as 
the  "flickers"  themselves. 

Young  Ed  Degenhardt,  son  of  the  operator,  was  the  house's  first 
projectionist.  In  those  days  a  movie  consisted  of  four  reels  of  film, 
and  lasted  approximately  an  hour.  Admission  for  adults  was  ten  cents ; 
children  were  admitted  for  five.  As  the  film  companies  increased  the 
length  of  their  features,  however,  it  became  necessary  to  gradually 
increase  prices. 


"TALKIES"  HIT  THE  SILVER  SCREEN 

The  first  talking  pictures  to  be  presented  were  shown  during 
Degenhardt's  management,  but  were  not  successful.  The  sound  was 
on  recordings,  instead  of  being  carried  on  the  film  sound  track  as  is 
done  today,  so  synchronization  was  always  difficult,  often  impossible. 

Aside  from  the  offering  of  commercial  entertainment,  however, 
the  Princess,  later  known  as  the  Strand,  played  another  important 
community  function.  By  its  very  nature,  it  was  a  natural  for  the 
presentation  of  high  school  class  plays,  graduation  exercises,  home 
talent  shows,  and  served  as  a  base  for  fund  raising  activities. 

In   1924,   Degenhardt  sold  the  business  to  H.   C.  Jarnagin  but 


166 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


retained  the  building.  It  is  currently  leased  to  the  Alger  Theaters,  a 
chain  based  in  LaSalle,  and  operated  under  the  name  of  The  State. 

The  theater  has  since  been  enlarged  and  now  contains  600  seats. 
In  recent  years,  it  has  been  effectively  managed  for  the  Alger  chain 
by  civic-minded  Harold  Larson,  who  has  introduced  a  number  of 
important  innovations  and  who  has  been  responsible  for  keeping  the 
admission  price  one  of  the  lowest  in  the  state.  It  is  not  unusual,  either, 
for  the  State  to  offer  new  films  prior  to  their  showing  in  LaSalle  or 
even,  on  occasions,  in  Chicago. 

And  1953  has  brought  an  important  change  to  the  local  theater; 
it  is  the  year  of  "the  third  dimension"  and  equipment  has  been 
installed  for  the  showing  of  the  newly-developed  3-dimensional 
films.  Another  major  project  in  the  offing  is  the  probable  installa- 
tion of  wide-screen  equipment  for  projection  of  Cinemascope,  a  film 
process  in  which  the  width  of  the  screen  image  is  approximately  twice 
that  of  the  height  and,  aided  by  a  curved  screen,  suggests  a  third  di- 
mension. 

Entertainment  in  the  home  began,  late  in  the  1920s,  to  include 
an  amazing  new  device  called  "radio",  which,  during  the  depression 
years,  assumed  considerable  importance.  By  1932,  practically  every 
home  could  boast  the  presence  of  a  radio  set — if  little  else. 

Late  in  the  1940s,  still  another  home  entertainment  medium  came 
into  general  use.  It  contained  elements  borrowed  from  both  the  movies 
and  radio,  and  was  known  as  "television",  "video"  or  "TV." 

By  the  Centennial  year,  however,  television  had  made  only  minor 
inroads  into  the  community.  Since  television  images,  unlike  radio, 
travel  on  a  flat  plane  instead  of  conforming  to  the  curvature  of  the 
earth,  Mendota's  geographic  position,  midway  between  the  TV  cities 
of  Chicago  and  Rock  Island,  has  made  reception  difficult.  The  few 
sets  in  town  must  be  accompanied  by  high,  cumbersome  antenna,  al- 
though the  projected  plans  for  the  building  of  a  Rockford  station 
should  alter  the  situation. 


The  old  beer  garden,  opened  south  of  the  city  limits  in  the  1860's, 
was  the  scene  of  parties,  dances,  and  brawls.  The  walnut  trees  in 
Kakusha  park,  planted  by  Christine  Henning,  were  to  have  sheltered 
a  beer  garden,  but  the  plan  never  materialized.  In  1924  the  Kakusha 
dance  pavilion  was  built,  and  Sunday  and  Wednesday  night  dances 
with  music  by  local  and  nearby  bands  were  held  until  1952  when  the 
building  was  turned  over  to  a  manufacturing  concern. 

Puritan  Park,  built  in  1925  by  Everett  Holliston  and  Charles 
Reeser  at  the  west  limits  of  the  city,  was  a  fabulous  center  for  quite 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


167 


a  few  years.  It  included  a  dance  pavilion  set  in  a  grove,  and  featured 
big  name  bands.  There  was  a  coffee  shop,  and  a  big  round  swimming 
pool  was  a  favorite  summer  diversion  for  young  and  old  for  about 
five  seasons.  The  park  also  boasted  a  softball  diamond  which  was 
lighted  for  night  games,  and  was  used  by  a  softball  league  during  the 
depression  days  of  the  early  '30s.  The  dance  hall  burned  down  in 
1933.  The  restaurant  and  bath  house  then  became  a  tavern  and  night 
spot. 

The  "Y"  and  the  corner  of  Washington  street  and  Illinois  avenue 
were  the  stamping  grounds  of  noisy,  entertaining  medicine  men.  Medi- 
cine shows  featured  Negro  banjo  singers  and  "real  live  Injun",  and 
proclaimed  the  cure-all  virtues  of  Indian  Sagwam  and  Painkiller  and 
Kickapoo  Indian  War  Medicine  (the  latter  can  still  be  purchased  in 
drug  stores) . 

Churches  have  always  played  a  large  part  in  providing  entertain- 
ment. The  dinners  prepared  by  the  "ladies  of  the  church"  100  years 
ago  were  perhaps  not  so  different  from  the  ham  and  turkey  feasts 
of  today.  Strawberry  and  peach  festivals  of  the  Civil  War  period  were 
replaced  by  ice  cream  socials;  now  there  are  food  sales  and  bazaars. 

Father  Murphy,  who  was  working  toward  the  building  of  a  Catho- 
lic church  in  Mendota  way  back  in  the  last  century,  planned  a  festival 
to  be  held  in  Leland  to  solicit  funds  for  the  new  building.  The  festival, 
a  gain  for  the  prospective  church,  proved  a  loss  to  Father  Murphy, 
whose  hat  was  stolen  at  the  gala  affair  and  never  returned. 

Schools  also  planned  benefits.  Oyster  suppers  provided  many 
a  dollar  for  the  seats  of  learning. 


AIN'T  WE  GOT  FUN? 

Seventy  years  ago  walking  marathons  were  popular.  Johnny 
Geraghty  was  Mendota's  professional  walker.  Johnny  and  his  oppo- 
nents trekked  mile  after  tiresome  mile  on  indoor  sawdust  covered 
floors.  They  walked  until  someone  had  to  push  them  to  make  them 
move.  Johnny's  greatest  achievement  came  in  Chicago  in  1876  when 
he  established  a  record — 10  miles  in  one  hour,  43  minutes,  52  seconds. 

In  1883,  members  of  the  Mendota  Roller  Skating  club  skimmed 
across  the  "special  hardwood  floors"  which  Pool's  hall  advertised. 
Around  1900,  roller  rinks,  one  across  from  what  is  now  Dancey's, 
and  cycle  races  down  Washington  street,  attracted  teenagers  and  adults. 
Roller  marathons  entertained  crowds  at  Eckert's  hall.  In  the  1940's, 
the  sport  had  a  brief  revival  at  Kakusha  park. 


168 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Excursions  to  nearby  and  faraway  towns  were  well-liked  by  those 
who  could  afford  them.  Thirteen  hundred  Mendotans  turned  out  for 
an  1867  Sunday  school  picnic  in  Earlville.  Trips  to  Peoria,  Chicago, 
the  Philadelphia  Centennial,  Black  Hills,  and  a  Kansas  buffalo  hunt 
were  also  planned. 

Fourth  of  July  celebrations  have  usually  lived  up  to  their  "grand 
and  glorious"  reputation.  They  still  feature,  as  they  did  100  years 
ago,  bands,  speeches,  orations,  readings,  plays,  and — of  course — fire- 
works. Tragedy  ended  the  1865  celebration  when  Joseph  Neff,  deputy 
provost  marshall,  suffered  a  sunstroke  while  firing  a  salute  and  died  of 
it  a  few  days  later. 

The  simple  entertainments  of  the  at-home  variety  were  many  and 
often  spontaneous.  So-called  "pic-nics"  often  included  50  persons. 
Fried  chicken  never  tasted  better  than  it  did  outdoors  under  the  shade 
of  the  box  elder  trees — nor  does  it  today.  Puritan  park  in  the  1920's 
and  Starved  Rock  from  as  far  back  as  1860  until  now  were  favorite 
picnic  spots.  Quilting  and  butchering  parties  not  only  helped  a  fellow 
when  he  needed  assistance  but  also  provided  opportunities  for  gay 
get-togethers  of  friends  and  neighbors.  Sleighing  parties  on  snowy 
town  streets  or  among  the  drifts  of  country  roads  were  as  exhilarating 
(though  more  frequent)  in  the  years  before  horseless  carriages  as 
they  are  now. 

Square  dances  were  family  and  friends  affairs  for  young  and  old 
alike  100  years  ago,  dwindled  in  popularity  about  15  years  ago,  and 
made  a  timid  return  within  the  last  five  years,  this  time  in  halls  and 
schools. 

Grandma,  as  a  girl,  played  hostess  to  her  teen-aged  friends  at 
taffy  pulls  or  croquet  games  and  chatted  with  them  on  hammock 
and  swing.  The  first  thing  a  family  did  to  entertain  a  caller  was  to 
produce  the  family  album,  with  comments;  and  the  caller  was  really 
"in"  if  he  was  handed  the  stereopticon  viewer. 


THE  SHOW  MUST  GO  ON 

The  early  1900's  began  a  boom  period  ending  in  about  1930  for 
drama  in  the  form  of  tent  shows  and  winter  circle  stock.  A  dramatic 
troupe  formed  in  spring  to  rehearse  7  or  8  shows,  then  in  summer 
made  the  rounds  of  Mendota  and  other  towns  within  the  area  produc- 
ing their  plays  in  tents.  Audiences  came  to  the  tent  pitched  on  the 
lot  kitty  corner  from  the  Methodist  church  to  see  such  three-act  plays 
as  "Bought  and  Paid  For,"  "Girl  of  the  Flying  X,"  and  "The  Only 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


169 


Road."  Friday  nights  were  often  special  occasions  for  the  production 
of  heavier  drama  rather  than  the  usual  comedy.  Orchestra  selections 
before  (the  "comeon")  and  after  (the  "getaway")  the  plays  and  spe- 
cialty numbers  in  between  acts  were  also  features  of  the  troupe.  While 
troupe  members  played  from  four  nights  to  a  week  in  one  town,  they 
rehearsed  the  lines  for  another  play. 

Winter  circle  stock  was  so  named  because  the  drama  troupe  head- 
quarters in  one  town  to  rehearse  lines  and  performs  in  seven  towns 
located  in  an  approximate  circle  around  the  headquarters  spot.  Many 
Mendotans  may  remember  the  performance  of  the  play,  "The  Rosary," 
in  the  Elks  club  building.  David  Reese,  of  Mendota,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Harry  Owens,  formerly  of  Arlington  and  now  of  Utica,  played  lead 
roles  in  the  show.  Mr.  Reese,  in  addition  to  serving  as  a  leading  man, 
appeared  as  drummer,  singer,  or  tap  dancer  in  the  Rotnour  Co.  and 
later  with  the  Don  Hopkins  Players.  The  Rotnour  Co.  succeeded  the 
Flora  De  Voss  shows  which  appeared  in  the  old  Opera  House  before 
1900. 

Possibly  the  most  famous  of  actors  who  have  appeared  in  Mendota 
at  the  old  Opera  House  were  Otis  Skinner  and  DeWolfe  Hopper. 


MUSIC  IN  THE  AIR 

Of  all  the  tin,  wooden,  and  other  wedding  anniversaries  reported 
by  Mendota  newspapers  during  the  century,  probably  the  most  famous 
of  all  was  "Uncle  Johnny"  Hoffman's  in  the  1880's  at  the  Passenger 
House.  It  was  said  that  1,500  persons  attended,  and  some  Mendota 
residents  of  today  can  remember  the  time  when  they,  as  tots,  accom- 
panied Mama  and  Papa  to  the  grand  celebration. 

Musicially  speaking,  Mendota  was  sometimes  up  on  its  toes,  often 
down  at  the  heels.  Prior  to  1900,  musical  "conventions"  were  called 
frequently  so  that  men  and  women  could  sing  or  learn  to  sing,  and  to 
arouse  an  interest  in  singing  in  the  community.  Small  bands  have 
formed  and  unformed  locally  through  the  years.  Ed  French's  Military 
Band  was  one  of  the  earliest.  The  Organ  Factory  band  of  the  1870's 
built  a  pagoda  for  outdoor  concerts  in  the  Passenger  house  park. 
The  Mendota  Brass  band  was  forced  to  disband  in  1873  when  three 
of  its  small  membership  found  the  lure  of  a  circus  band  in  the  South 
more  attractive. 

The  Mendota  Concert  orchestra  of  the  1880's  included  such 
familiar  names  as  Dr.  Charles  Cook,  J.  Hansen,  H.  Gulbrandsen,  A. 


170         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Gulbrandsen,  John  Eckert,  P.  C.  Weaver,  and  Frank  Wintrode.  Benefit 
musicals  and  operettas  were  frequent. 

Sporadic  interest  in  art  was  demonstrated  as  long  ago  as  the 
Fine  Art  Gallery  of  1858  which  displayed  the  work  of  a  non-local 
painter,  and  as  recently  as  the  1950  art  show  contributed  to  by  local 
artists. 

*  #         * 

The  Elks  auditorium  in  the  20's  was  the  scene  of  numerous  success- 
ful minstrel  shows.  John  Robinson,  negro  janitor  lor  the  Mendota 
National  Bank,  was  always  provided  a  front  row  seat.  His  high-pitched 
and  drawn  out  guffaws  were  sure  to  send  the  audience  into  gales  of 
laughter.     What  John  thought  was  funny  was  sure  to  "bring  down  the 

house." 

*  *         * 

The  depression  of  the  early  30's  spawned  an  active  dramatic  club 
of  about  30  members.  They  arranged  club  rooms  over  the  present 
sports  shop,  and  conducted  rehearsals  there  for  several  plays  that 
were  presented.  The  most  famous  of  these  was  a  mystery  thriller, 
"The  Yellow  Shadow,"  presented  at  the  Elks  auditorium.  It  was  a 
near-professional  production  with  its  own  specially  built  scenery. 

Reginald  Butler,  an  artist,  was  the  scenery  painter,  working  with 
water  paints.  The  day  of  the  opening  arrived,  and  the  scenery  was 
only  partly  painted.  As  final  touches  were  being  arranged  for  the 
opening  curtain,  Reg  was  on  a  stepladder  still  painting.  As  the  last 
brushful  was  splashed  on,  the  artist  hastily  withdrew  to  the  wings 
and  the  curtain  arose  somewhat  tardily. 

The  scenery  depicted  a  sitting  room,  with  rather  dark  green  walls. 
As  the  play  progressed  and  the  paint  began  to  dry,  the  green  gradually 
lightened  until  in  the  final  act  it  was  a  mellow  light  green.  It  was 
the  first  play  in  history  in  which  there  was  progressive  action  on  the 
part  of  the  scenery  as  well  as  by  the  actors. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         171 


the  Postman 
always  rings  twice 


"Neither  rain  nor  sleet  nor  gloom  of  night 
stays  these  couriers  in  the  swift  completion 
of  their  appointed  rounds" 


T 


hese  IMMORTAL  lines  —  penned  many  years  ago  —  represent 
the  official  motto  of  the  United  States  Post  Office  Department. 

They  were  written  as  a  tribute  to  your  postman  —  the  man  who 
brings  the  mail  to  your  home  every  week  day  rain  or  shine.  For 
regardless  of  the  weather,  he  knows  that  the  mail  must  go  through. 

But  when  the  first  post  office  was  established  in  Mendota  on 
December  10,  1853,  there  was  no  such  thing  as  a  postman.  In  those 
days  —  and  for  50  years  afterwards  —  everyone  had  to  go  to  the  post 
office  to  get  the  mail. 

Mendota's  first  post  office  was  located  in  a  small  harness  shop 
on  the  corner  of  Sixth  street  and  Sixth  avenue  where  the  residence  of 
Gust  Walter  now  stands.  Daniel  D.  Guiles,  who  operated  a  harness 
making  and  horse  shoeing  business  in  the  building,  received  the  ap- 
pointment as  first  postmaster. 

Patrons  received  their  mail  through  a  small  window  in  the  shop 
from  the  postmaster,  who  would  then  return  to  his  bench  and  harness 
making. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


173 


During  the  early  days  the  post  office  served  as  a  gathering  place 
for  the  townspeople,  especially  on  cold  winter  days.  Always  on  hand 
when  the  mail  arrived,  they  spent  their  time  visiting  while  the  post- 
master sorted  the  mail.  The  conversations  usually  ranged  from  "who 
was  going  to  have  a  baby"  to  "how  many  hams  the  Jones'  had  in  the 
smoke  house." 

Mail  was  one  of  the  main  sources  of  information  from  distant 
friend  and  relatives.  Occasionally  a  letter  edged  in  black  was  re- 
ceived, indicating  a  death  notice,  and  folks  hurried  to  console  the 
bereaved  friend.  But  the  letters  that  attracted  the  most  attention  were 
those  sealed  with  sealing  wax.  These  contained  either  an  important 
document  or  perhaps  a  love  letter,  so  the  recipients  were  carefully 
watched  to  note  their  reactions  to  the  contents. 

For  the  most  part,  however,  folks  freely  exchanged  the  news  they 
received.  When  the  last  letter  had  been  delivered  and  read,  most 
everyone  had  a  fairly  good  idea  as  to  what  was  going  on  in  town. 

In  the  early  history  of  Mendota,  however,  mail  was  not  received 
every  day.  It  generally  came  by  mail  wagon  and  the  letters  were  put 
in  bags  about  the  size  of  a  common  flour  sack,  which  were  made  of 
leather  and  locked  by  the  postmaster  before  leaving  his  office.  The 
carriers  were  not  allowed  to  open  them. 

Among  the  early  mail  routes  in  La  Salle  County  was  one  running 
from  Mendota  to  Ottawa  by  way  of  Triumph,  Prairie  Center  and 
Freedom  Center  in  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  and  some  25  years 
later. 

Prairie  Center  was  the  center  of  the  route  from  which  mail  was 
taken  to  Mendota  and  exchanged  for  new  mail  on  Tuesday  and  Friday. 
The  mail  was  taken  to  Ottawa  and  new  mail  brought  back  on  Wednes- 
day and  Saturday.  Monday  and  Thursday  were  free  days  for  the  mail 
carriers. 

The  mail  wagon  used  on  this  route  was  a  curious  affair.  It  had 
a  bow  top,  and  three  seats,  which  could  be  removed  so  the  wagon 
could  be  used  as  a  spring  wagon.  Curtains  could  be  put  on  and 
rolled  up  when  weather  permitted. 

Occasionally  passengers  were  carried  from  Prairie  Center  to 
Mendota.  Each  was  charged  50  cents  or  75  cents  for  a  round  trip. 
The  mail  carrier  also  did  errands,  charging  10  cents  each. 

Another  contract  for  carrying  mail  from  Mendota  to  Ottawa  via 
Ophir  was  awarded  to  L.  P.  Dodge  in  1866. 

Mendota's  first  postmaster,  Daniel  D.  Guiles,  served  two  two-year 
terms  after  which  he  was  succeeded  by  E.  S.  Mudget,  who  also  served 
two  two-year  terms. 


174 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


On  April  30,  1861  —  15  days  after  Ft.  Sumter  and  the  beginning 
of  the  bloody  war  between  the  states  —  Jacob  Augustine  was  appointed 
postmaster  and  served  a  four-year  term. 

The  fourth  postmaster  was  David  A.  Cook  who  received  his  ap- 
pointment on  July  7,  1865.  During  his  term  of  office  the  local  post 
office  was  designated  as  a  money  order  office.  On  October  1,  1866, 
the  post  office  also  discontinued  the  publication  of  unclaimed  letter 
lists. 


MERCHANTS  FEUD  RESULTS  IN  BOYCOTT 

By  the  fall  of  1865  the  postoffice  was  in  the  lower  story  of  a 
two-story  building  on  the  south  side  of  Washington  street.  Though  it 
was  moved  in  May,  1871,  a  few  months  before  the  fire,  the  building 
which  had  lately  housed  the  postoffice  was  one  of  those  destroyed  in 
the  blaze. 

Pohl  had  offered  to  fit  up  his  brick  building  at  Main  and  Jefferson 
for  a  postoffice,  rent-free,  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  This  offer  was 
accepted.  Near  the  end  of  the  ten-year  period  the  Washington  street 
merchants  banded  together;  they  complained  to  Washington,  D.  C. 
that  the  existing  location  was  unsuitable  because  "it  was  above  a  saloon 
and  underneath  a  public  hall.     An  investigator  was  sent. 

Soon  after  the  Washington  street  merchants'  offer  of  the  Dudgeon 
Building  on  Washington  street  at  a  rental  of  a  dollar  per  year  was 
accepted.    It  appears  the  merchants  paid  the  rent  themselves. 

Thereupon  the  Main  street  merchants  hired  a  boy  to  go  to  the 
postoffice  to  pick  up  the  mail  after  each  train  so  they  wouldn't  have 
to  rent  boxes.  In  addition,  it  is  said,  they  put  their  mail  directly  on 
outgoing  trains,  stamped  with  stamps  they  had  purchased  elsewhere. 

Eventually  this  boycott  wore  itself  out.  When  there  was  discussion 
of  moving  the  postoffice  to  the  new  Heiman  building  on  Illinois 
avenue,  there  was  open  comment  in  the  newspaper  that  this  might 
be  a  fine  way  of  settling  the  Main-Washington  feud. 

Postmaster  Cook  served  for  nine  years  until  December  18,  1874, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  William  H.  Livers. 

In  1882  the  post  office  was  moved  to  the  Heiman  Building  on 
Illinois  avenue,  now  occupied  by  Bob's  Tavern.  It  was  then  the  Heiman 
candy  store,  and  some  residents  still  remember  the  heart-shaped  paraf- 
fin gum  and  cardboards  of  candies  that  Mr.  Heiman  sold  the  children 
while  "Paw"  was  getting  the  mail  in  the  back  of  the  store  where  the 
post  office  was  located. 

On  December  28,  1882,  Dorsey  C.  Andress  was  appointed  post- 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


175 


master  and  served  more  than  four  years.  During  his  term,  the  follow- 
ing item  appeared  in  the  Mendota  Reporter : 

"Postmaster  Andress  complains  of  the  boys  who  congregate  in 
front  of  the  post  office  on  Sundays  before  the  time  of  mail  delivery  has 
arrived,  and  kick  and  rattle  the  door,  which  is  a  great  annoyance  to 
the  employees  in  the  office.  He  warns  them  that  if  they  still  congre- 
gate at  the  post  office  on  Sunday,  they  must  remain  orderly  or  steps 
will  be  taken  to  keep  them  within  bounds  of  good  order  and  decency." 

George  A.  Kellenberger  succeeded  Andress  on  February  14,  1887, 
and  later,  on  January  19,  1891,  was  himself  succeeded  by  Robert  F. 
Shipley. 

The  next  postmaster  was  Charles  T.  Madden  who  was  appointed 
on  January  15,  1895.  During  his  term  the  post  office  was  moved  to 
the  Fischer  building  on  Main  street,  now  occupied  by  Burkes  news 
agency.  He  was  succeeded  by  Elbridge  G.  Mclntyre  who  was  appointed 
March  3,  1899  and  died  after  serving  two  years. 

City  mail  delivery  service  was  inaugurated  in  1902.  John  Kite, 
Harry  Wright  and  Dorris  Bolster  received  the  first  appointments  as 
city  letter  carriers  on  December  1st  of  that  year,  from  Postmaster  Al- 
bert W.  Mclntire,  who  had  been  appointed  postmaster  the  previous 
year. 

Then  on  February  16,  1903,  rural  delivery  service  was  started 
with  delivery  being  made  by  horse  and  buggy.  The  first  rural  carriers 
appointed  were  Frank  Powell,  Fred  Brady,  J.  A.  Powell,  Harry  Bos- 
lough,  and  Lawrence  Prescott. 

It  was  also  during  Mclntyre's  term  that  the  post  office  was  moved 
on  May  1,  1904  to  the  Masonic  Temple  building  on  Washington  street 
where  the  Wendt  drug  store  is  located. 

Jacob  G.  Reul  was  appointed  postmaster  on  March  23,  1906,  and 
served  for  eight  years.  During  his  term,  in  July,  1913,  parcel  post 
delivery  was  added  to  Mendota's  postal  service. 

The  next  postmaster  was  Emil  J.  Hess,  who  served  from  November 
4,  1914,  to  May  30,  1923.  It  was  during  his  term,  in  1918,  that  a 
rural  carrier's  appointment  was  first  awarded  to  a  woman,  Miss  Prema 
Rhea. 


LOVE  STORY 

Miss  Rhea  drove  her  own  team  of  horses,  and  took  personal  care 
of  them  after  the  completion  of  her  route  each  day.  In  later  years, 
when  the  automobile  replaced  the  horse  on  the  mail  routes,  snowbound 


176 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


roads  and  mud  were  handicaps  to  the  early  autos  and  offered  a  new 
challenge  to  rural  carriers.  Miss  Rhea  met  this  challenge  as  capably 
as  any  other  carrier,  however,  and  always  got  through  roads  that 
seemed  impassable. 

In  1941,  Miss  Rhea  was  transferred  to  Grand  Ridge  and  it  was 
there  that  she  met  Ira  Lightner,  the  man  who  was  soon  to  become  her 
husband.  They  met,  curiously  enough,  at  his  mail  box.  He  was  a 
patron  on  her  route.  They  were  later  married  and  are  now  living  on 
a  farm  near  Hinckley. 

Robert  Hallenberg  became  acting  postmaster  on  July  16,  1923, 
but  resigned  after  serving  only  three  months.  He  was  succeeded  on 
October  15,  1923  by  George  E.  Whitmore  who  served  until  June  30, 
1935. 

Postmaster  Whitmore  had  previously  spent  30  years  in  the  postal 
service  in  Mendota,  starting  as  special  delivery  messenger.  It  was 
during  his  term  that  the  present  federal  building  was  constructed  on 
Washington  street.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  December  30,  1931, 
and  the  post  office  moved  into  the  new  building  on  July  1,  1932. 

It  was  also  during  Postmaster  Whitmore's  term,  in  March,  1928, 
that  about  50  "Lindy"  air  mail  letters  were  received  by  Mendota 
folks.  These  letters  were  sent  to  Springfield  and  Colonel  Charles  E. 
Lindbergh,  who  achieved  fame  for  his  New  York  to  Paris  flight,  carried 
them  to  Chicago.  From  Chicago,  the  letters  were  sent  to  Mendota 
by  train.  Many  of  these  letters  are  prized  possessions  of  Mendota 
people  today. 


MENDOTA'S  ONLY  POSTMISTRESS 

July  1,  1935,  was  a  gloomy  day  for  the  all-male  post  office  force. 
It  was  on  that  day,  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  Mendota,  that 
a  woman,  Etta  Lutz,  began  serving  as  postmaster.  The  gloom  soon 
disappeared,  however,  and  progress  in  the  post  office  has  continued 
since  her  appointment.  Mrs.  Lutz  is  the  only  woman  postmaster  of 
La  Salle  County's  first  class  post  offices. 

For  many  years  the  postmaster  was  the  sole  employee  in  Mendota's 
postal  service,  but  not  today.  The  present  staff  at  the  post  office  in- 
cludes 15  clerks  and  carriers,  three  rural  carriers,  one  custodian,  one 
charwoman,  one  mail  messenger,  and  the  postmaster. 

Four  star  routes  operate  currently  to  and  from  Mendota,  serving 
post  offices  in  the  surrounding  community. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         177 


Present  annual  receipts  of  the  Mendota  post  office  exceed  those 
of  any  post  office  in  La  Salle  county. 

Unlike  former  years,  when  all  appointments  to  the  postal  service 
were  political,  the  entire  personnel  of  the  post  office,  including  the 
postmaster,  is  appointed  by  the  Federal  Civil  Service  Commission,  and 
all  are  eligible  for  retirement  benefits. 

Only  during  the  last  50  years  have  such  services  as  Parcel  Post 
Insurance,  C.O.D.,  Special  Handling,  Air  Mail,  Postal  Savings  and 
U.  S.  Savings  Bonds  been  available  to  the  public  at  the  post  office. 

Many  interesting  experiences  in  the  postal  service  can  be  told 
by  postmasters  and  employees.  Postmaster  Lutz  enjoys  telling  of  a 
call  she  received  a  few  years  ago  from  a  woman  patron.  This  call  was 
in  the  form  of  a  complaint. 

"Would  it  be  possible,"  the  woman  asked,  "to  have  my  mail 
delivered  later  in  the  morning?  The  mail  carrier  comes  at  ten  minutes 
to  nine  and  the  rattling  of  the  mail  box  awakens  me." 

Mrs.  Lutz  courteously  advised  her  that  such  a  change  could  not 
easily  be  accomplished,  but  suggested  that  perhaps  by  "padding"  her 
mail  box  the  arrival  of  her  mail  would  not  awaken  her  at  such  an 
early  hour. 

Not  more  than  an  hour  later,  a  second  woman  called  and  requested 
that  her  mail  be  delivered  earlier. 

"When  my  mail  comes,"  she  said,  "I  have  to  sit  down  immediately 
and  read  my  Chicago  Tribune,  and  since  my  mail  does  not  arrive  until 
11  o'clock,  it  interferes  with  my  dinner  preparations." 


THIS  PATRON  HAD  TROUBLES 

Best  of  all,  Mrs.  Lutz  likes  to  remember  the  patron  who  came  in 
with  a  complaint  for  not  having  received  her  government  check.  Among 
her  other  troubles,  she  had  a  few  that  sounded  like  the  national  debt. 

"The  well's  gone  dry,"  she  said,  "the  roof  blew  off  the  barn,  the 
chickens  won't  lay,  the  cow  ate  hedge  apples  and  the  milk  ain't  fit 
to  drink,  my  old  man  got  laid  off  his  job,  the  dog's  too  old  to  run 
rabbits,  the  dry  weather  dried  up  the  greens,  hogs  aren't  big  enough 
to  butcher,  tires  no  good  on  the  old  car,  the  neighbors  won't  give  me 
a  ride  to  town,  spent  all  morning  in  the  doctor's  office,  all  my  kids 
have  left  home,  the  mail  carrier  ain't  brought  no  mail  for  a  week,  and 
I  want  my  government  check." 

178         MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


B 


ANKING  IN  MENDOTA 


T 


here  never  has  been  a  hold-up  or  robbery  of  Mendota  banks 
during  the  town's  100-year  history,  as  far  as  is  known,  but  there  was 
excitement  of  another  kind  on  one  fine  June  day  back  in  1867. 

When  the  First  National  Bank  was  in  its  original  building  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Washington  and  Main,  a  hen  escaped  from  Worm- 
ley's  cart  and  struck  a  bee-line  for  the  bank.  The  hen  smashed  through 
one  of  the  large  panes  of  window  glass,  plump  into  the  faces  of  the 
astonished  president,  and  demoralizing  the  cashier. 

Mendota  banking  started  in  1856  when  the  Mendota  Bank  was 
organized  by  Hastings,  Phillips  and  Scott.  The  resident  partner  moved 
to  Chicago;  so  the  business  gradually  wound  up  and  the  bank  was 
closed.  The  bank  was  reorganized  in  1860  by  Kelsey  and  Price  and 
continued  for  eleven  years,  when  Mr.  Kelsey  retired  and  J.  M.  Erlen- 
born  took  his  place  and  continued  until  the  summer  of  1877,  when 
he  closed  up  and  entered  another  branch  of  trade. 

This  early  bank  was  located  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Main 
Streets  in  1866.  In  July  of  1871  it  moved  to  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Washington  in  the  quarters  then  recently  vacated  by  the  First  National 

Bank. 

*       #       # 

Mr.  Kelsey,  president  of  the  first  bank,  every  night  carried  out 
a  bag  containing  the  bank  money  for  safekeeping  in  the  fireplace  of 
his  home.  This  is  related  by  Anna  Wilson  Herrick,  now  aged  97, 
who  adds  that  Mr.  Kelsey  had  the  only  fireplace  in  town. 

She    also    relates    that    about    1866    two    fascinating   young   men 

MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP         179 


opened  a  bank.  Their  ways  were  so  persuasive  that  a  number  of 
business  men  withdrew  their  deposits  from  the  Kelsey  and  Price  bank 
and  deposited  them  with  the  new  bankers.  One  morning  they  woke 
up  to  find  bankers  and  money  gone.  Mrs.  Herrick's  father,  who  was 
in  the  firm  of  Conkey  and  Wilson,  was  one  of  those  who  thus  lost 
his  ready  cash. 


The  bank  most  remembered  in  those  early  days,  however,  was 
the  First  National  Bank,  which  was  organized  February  13,  1865, 
just  near  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  The  principals  were  Col.  E.  A. 
Bowen  and  Edwin  Littlefield.  There  were  26  stockholders  and  a  capi- 
tal stock  of  $65,000.  The  first  directors  were  Edwin  A.  Bowen,  Harvey 
Childs,  Llewellyn  Marks,  Edwin  Littlefield,  E.  W.  Fassett,  Isaac  H. 
Norris,  and  Philo  Castle.  Colonel  Bowen  was  elected  president;  E.  W. 
Fassett  vice-president;  and  Fulton  Gifford,  cashier. 

The  bank  was  formally  opened  in  June,  1865.  The  capital  stock 
was  increased  to  $125,000  in  1870;  then  six  years  later  decreased  to 
$100,000.  The  bank's  business  grew  rapidly,  and  the  charter  was 
renewed  in  1885. 

During  the  first  20  years  the  net  earnings  were  $301,000,  and 
deposits  ranged  from  $100,000  to  $412,000. 

Though  first  located  at  Washington  and  Main,  a  new  building 
was  erected  in  1871  a  half-block  farther  west  on  Washington,  the  site 
of  the  present  building  of  the  First  State  Bank.  Their  new  building 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $13,000,  including  safe  and  vault. 

The  iron  vault  of  the  bank  was  surrounded  by  stone,  and  that 
by  an  enclosure  of  brick.  The  safe  was  supplied  with  a  time  lock 
which  with  the  vault  cost  $4,500.  The  windows  were  French  plate 
%"  thick,  bought  at  a  cost  of  $65  per  pane. 

The  bank  carried  as  its  slogan  "the  oldest  bank  in  the  county". 


PROMINENT   BANKING  FIGURES 

Among  prominent  local  banking  figures  who  were  employed  at 
one  time  at  this  bank  were  R.  N.  Crawford,  who  was  bookkeeper  and 
later  cashier;  and  Fred  Haskell  Jr.  who  was  cashier  both  before  and 
after  interludes   in  banking  in   California  and  at  Princeton,   Illinois. 

The  bank  operated  for  67  years  continuously  until  it  voluntarily 
closed  to  preserve  the  assets  of  its  depositors,  on  January  27,  1932. 

During  this  long  two-thirds  of  a  century  of  operation  the  bank 

180         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


had  only  four  presidents.  These  were  Col.  E.  A.  Bowen,  John  R. 
Woods,  of  La  Moille;  E.  P.  Fassett;  and  later  after  illness  forced  Mr. 
Fassett  to  give  up  active  management,  Riley  Woods,  son  of  the  bank's 
second  president,  took  over  until  it  closed. 

These  presidents  were  all  vigorous  civic  leaders,  active  socially, 
colorful  in  many  ways. 

Colonel  Edwin  A.  Bowen,  born  in  Fitzwilliam,  New  Hampshire, 
came  as  a  child  with  his  parents  to  settle  in  Perkins  Grove.  After  local 
schooling  and  2^  years  at  Judson  college  he  entered  the  mercantile 
business.  He  entered  the  Union  Army  in  1861  as  a  captain  in  the  52nd 
Illinois  infantry  and  in  a  period  of  three  years  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  colonel.  He  returned  to  Mendota  in  1865  to  become  president 
of  the  First  National  Bank,  organized  that  year.  He  served  as  treasurer 
of  the  first  Mendota  Library  association  and  was  the  first  city  treasurer 
when  the  city  government  was  organized  in  1867. 

John  R.  Woods,  born  in  Passumpsic,  Vermont,  came  west  in  1863 
to  settle  in  La  Moille.  He  was  manager  of  a  mercantile  establishment 
there  and  became  a  partner  in  a  privately  owned  La  Moille  bank.  He 
became  the  first  commuting  bank  president  in  La  Salle  or  Bureau 
counties,  when  about  1898  he  became  president  of  the  First  National 
bank  in  Mendota.  He  drove  the  trip  in  a  jaunty  little  Rambler  roadster 
when  weather  permitted.    He  served  as  president  until  his  death  in  1918. 

E.  W.  Fassett,  one  of  the  early  directors,  and  his  father,  Elisha 
Fassett,  held  an  interest  in  12  banks  in  three  counties,  having  been 
original  stockholders  and  active  in  the  establishment  of  all  of  them. 

E.  P.  "Kit"  Fassett  had  started  as  a  clerk  in  the  First  National 
bank,  which  duties  in  those  days  included  janitor  work.  He  attended 
a  Chicago  business  college  and  was  employed  in  banking  there.  In 
addition  he  served  as  cashier  of  the  Public  Works  department  and 
also  as  cashier  of  the  State  grain  office.  He  possessed  a  tall,  erect,  im- 
posing figure.  He  was  a  fastidious  dresser,  and  always  appeared  at 
the  bank  in  the  morning  with  a  fresh  flower  in  his  button-hole. 


The  Germania  Bank  was  an  interesting  venture  in  private  banking 
and  had  a  long  and  colorful  history  starting  in  July,  1874,  when  Anton 
and  J.  M.  Erlenborn  opened  up  at  Main  and  Washington.  This  bank 
continued  in  the  Erlenborn  name  until  the  death  of  the  senior  partner 
in  August,  1876.  J.  M.  Erlenborn  then  conducted  it  alone  until  late 
1876,  when  John  Goedtner  who  had  entered  the  bank  a  couple  of 
years  before,  became  half  partner. 

In  July  following,  on  account  of  failing  health,  Mr.  Erlenborn 
sold  his  interest  to  George  H.  Madden.   Thus  was  launched  a  partner- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         181 


ship  which  continued  in  private  banking  as  Madden  and  Goedtner 
Germania  Bank  for  a  span  of  42  years.  It  was  broken  up  in  1919 
when  state  banking  laws  abolished  private  banks. 

By  1894  the  bank  had  outgrown  its  original  quarters  at  Main 
and  Washington,  and  a  new  building  was  erected  a  half  block  north 
on  Main  street. 

John  Goedtner  was  born  in  Germany  and  came  to  America  and 
to  Mendota  in  1866,  where  he  worked  for  his  relatives  as  a  clerk. 
He  entered  college  in  Chicago  and  worked  for  the  Kirk  Soap  com- 
pany there.  He  then  returned  to  Mendota  to  become  cashier  in  the 
Germania   bank   for  his   uncle,   Anton   Erlenborn. 

Mr.  Goedtner  had  many  friends  and  brought  a  great  deal  of  busi- 
ness to  the  bank.  He  was  active  in  civic  circles,  and  at  one  time  was 
treasurer  of  La  Salle  county.  After  he  ceased  to  be  an  active  officer 
of  the  bank,  following  1919,  he  became  Mendota  township  super- 
visor, a  position  he  held  for  many  years. 

The  other  partner,  George  H.  Madden,  was  educated  at  Notre 
Dame.    He  was  a  bookkeeper  for  the  Crane  company  in  Chicago. 

Later  he  returned  to  Mendota  and  worked  in  the  foundry  and 
machine  shops  of  Donohue  and  Madden,  until  entering  banking.  For 
a  time  he  was  city  treasurer. 

Mr.  Madden  was  interested  in  horses  and  racing,  and  was  active 
in  the  management  of  the  Mendota  Union  Fair  and  later  the  Mendota 
Fair  and  Agricultural  Society. 

He  became  superintendent  of  speed  at  the  Illinois  State  fair  just 
after  the  turn  of  the  century  and  later  became  a  member  of  the  state 
board  of  agriculture,  being  named  the  president  of  this  organization 
in  1907. 


CALLED  ON  TEDDY  ROOSEVELT 

He  was  a  member  of  a  committee  representing  the  state  board  of 
agriculture  which  in  June,  1902,  called  upon  President  Theodore  Roose- 
velt at  the  White  House  to  invite  the  president  to  attend  the  Illinois 
state  fair. 

Madden  and  Goedtner  brought  their  sons-in-law  into  the  bank 
to  teach  them  the  banking  business.  Dan  C.  Haskell,  son-in-law  of 
George  Madden,  went  into  the  bank  as  bookkeeper  in  1899,  after  hav- 
ing previously  been  employed  as  clerk  in  the  Mendota  postomce.  About 
1910  Earl  Lewis,  son-in-law  of  John  Goedtner,  also  joined  the  bank. 

182         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


These  two  became  officers  in  the  reorganized  bank  which  took 
on  the  name  of  the  Farmers  and  Merchants  State  Bank  when  it  became 
a  stock  company  in  1919  under  the  new  state  banking  laws. 

Capital  and  surplus  of  the  reorganized  bank  was  $55,000.  Dan  C. 
Haskell  was  president;  John  Goedtner  vice-president;  Earl  Lewis, 
cashier;    and   Arthur   Landgraf,   assistant   cashier. 

As  a  state  chartered  bank  it  continued  until  January  13,  1932, 
when  it  closed  during  the  depression  to  preserve  the  assets  of  stock- 
holders. The  bank  closed  two  weeks  before  the  other  two  local  banks 
ceased  operation. 


R.  N.  Crawford,  who  died  in  Mendota's  Centennial  year  of  1953 
after  a  lifetime  as  a  prominent  banker  and  civic  worker,  was  one  of 
the  prime  movers  in  the  establishment  of  the  Mendota  National  Bank 
which  was  organized  in  July,  1897,  and  which  opened  for  business 
in  September  of  that  same  year. 

The  capital  stock  was  $50,000,  later  increased  to  $100,000.  Mr. 
Crawford  served  as  the  bank's  president  from  the  time  of  its  open- 
ing until  its  close  in  1932.  He  is  reputed  to  have  been  the  youngest 
bank  president  in  the  national  banking  system.  Louis  Waldorf  was 
vice-president  and  George  D.  Tower  was  the  first  cashier. 

The  new  banking  house  was  erected  in  1913  at  the  corner  of 
Washington  and  Illinois  streets.  The  bank  grew  rapidly  and  by  1924 
had  accumulated  a  surplus  of  $40,000  and  the  undivided  profits  at  that 
time  aggregated  an  additional  $20,000.  Deposits  were  in  excess  of 
$1,000,000.    Buildings  and  fixtures  were  worth  more  than  $30,000. 

In  the  mid-twenties  Mr.  Crawford  was  still  president,  Fred  E. 
Cavell  was  vice-president,  B.  J.  Feik  was  cashier,  and  E.  A.  Walker 
was  assistant  cashier.  The  board  of  directors  was  comprised  of  R.  N. 
Crawford,  Adam  Kliyla,  H.  W.  F.  Henning,  Fred  R.  Bailey,  Henry 
Huss  and  D.  C.  Tower. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  only  20  years  old  when  he  went  into  the  First 
National  Bank  in  Mendota  as  bookkeeper,  and  after  eleven  years  be- 
came president  of  the  new  bank  at  age  31.  He  was  a  tireless  com- 
munity worker,  active  in  the  Mendota  Fair,  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  was  for  many  years  the  chairman  of  the  Mendota  Chapter  of  the 
Red  Cross. 

Following  the  closing  of  the  banks  in  1932,  Mr.  Crawford  retired 
from  banking,  but  remained  active  in  his  insurance  business.  He 
served  one  term  as  treasurer  of  La  Salle  county.  All  his  life  he  was 
an  active  Republican,  and  knew  intimately  many  of  the  men  who  made 
history   in   state  politics. 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP  183 


E.  A.  Walker  started  with  this  bank  in  July,  1902,  and  thus  last 
year  completed  fifty  years  of  service  with  the  Mendota  National  Bank 
and  its  successor  bank.  His  name  is  Eddy  A.  Walker,  not  Edward 
Walker,  as  most  people  think.  He  recalls  that  the  first  year  he  worked 
for  no  pay,  doing  book  work,  making  collections  and  learning  the 
business.  The  second  year  he  received  a  handsome  increase,  to  $20 
a  month. 

*       *       * 

What  was  probably  the  darkest  hour  in  the  financial  history  of 
Mendota  was  January,  1932,  when  all  three  banks  were  closed.  A 
moratorium  of  one  week  was  called  to  establish  a  feeling  of  security, 
since  the  banks  were  solvent  and  a  serious  run  might  cause  disaster. 
It  was  hoped  this  action  would  restore  good  judgment  and  confidence, 
after  which  the  banks  would  resume  as  usual. 

Conditions  were  changing  rapidly.  Even  the  largest  banks  in  the 
nation  were  calling  for  help.  But  the  local  banks,  even  though  solvent, 
were  not  allowed  to  reopen  after  the  moratorium  and  they  were  placed 
in  receivership. 

Nearly  a  million  dollars  belonging  to  the  citizens  of  the  community 
were  frozen  in  the  closed  banks.  Business  came  to  a  virtual  standstill. 
There  was  no  place  to  cash  a  check,  or  to  obtain  credit.  Merchants 
had  to  go  out  of  town  to  obtain  change  with  which  to  operate  their 
businesses. 


THE  NATIONAL  BANK  OF 
MENDOTA 

when  it  became  apparent  that  there  was  no  way  to  get  the  closed 
banks  back  into  business,  a  group  of  forward-looking  citizens  led  by 
B.  Harry  Reck,  D.  L.  Barnett,  Joseph  L.  Zolper,  J.  L.  Schaller  and 
others  started  a  movement  to  organize  a  new  bank. 

It  was  difficult  to  sell  stock  because  of  the  extremely  tight  financial 
situation  prevailing.  However,  this  most  difficult  task  was  accomplished 
in  a  short  time.  The  National  Bank  of  Mendota  was  organized  and 
opened  for  business  on  April  9,  1932,  using  the  banking  quarters  of 
the  former  Mendota  National  bank.  Following  were  the  officers:  D.  L. 
Barnett,  president;  C.  Walter  Jacob,  cashier;  F.  J.  Reichardt,  assistant 
cashier;  Joseph  Zolper,  vice-president. 

The  opening  day  deposits  amounted  to  $75,000.    Paul  Engelbrecht 


184 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


opened  the  first  savings  account  and  C.  A.  Harbaugh  was  the  first 
checking  depositor. 

With  the  new  bank  open  for  business,  renewed  confidence  appeared 
and  the  financial  life  of  the  community  began  to  return  to  a  more 
normal  basis.  The  new  bank  was  able  to  extend  credit  to  citizens, 
which  enabled  them  to  discharge  their  obligations  to  the  closed  banks. 
The  result  was  that  the  depositors  of  the  three  closed  institutions  re- 
ceived a  substantial  portion  of  their  frozen  deposits  in  a  short  time. 

A  debt  of  gratitude  is  due  the  public  spirited  citizens  who  backed 
the  new  bank  by  the  purchase  of  stock.  Real  estate  as  well  as  securities 
were  at  an  all-time  low  and  thus  presented  a  more  attractive  investment 
than  did  stock  in  a  bank  where  dividends  would  be  long  in  coming. 

The  new  bank  was  freely  supported  and  growth  was  steady.  This 
bank  now  stands  as  Mendota's  oldest  and  largest,  with  nine  million 
dollars  in  assets. 

D.  L.  Barnett  was  the  first  executive  head  of  the  National  Bank  of 
Mendota  from  the  time  it  opened  until  1941,  when  he  retired  and  was 
succeeded  by  J.  L.  Schaller,  who  holds  the  position  of  president  at 
present.  C.  Walter  Jacob  has  continued  as  cashier,  and  David  Barnett 
is  assistant  cashier. 


FIRST  STATE  BANK 

the  first  state  bank  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1940  and 
opened  for  business  July  6  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000,  surplus  of 
$5,000,  and  reserves  of  $5,000.  The  bank  was  established  in  the  bank- 
ing home  occupied  by  the  former  First  National  bank.  The  quarters 
were  modernized  and  have  undergone  other  interior  improvements 
since. 

The  directors  and  officers  of  the  new  bank  were  C.  0.  Harris, 
president;  J.  P.  Gallagher,  vice-president;  E.  J.  Welsch,  cashier;  A.  A. 
Landgraf,  assistant  cashier,  and  directors  Fred  J.  Herr,  Fred  J.  Welsch, 
Harry  Fahler,  H.  0.  Stamberger,  Fred  P.  Feik,  Earl  Truckenbrod, 
Clarence  Hoffman,  Frank  Prescott,  and  Frank  J.  Schwarz. 

The  bank  has  shown  a  steady  growth  and  in  Mendota's  Centennial 
year  has  assets  of  five  million  dollars. 

Present  officers  are  C.  0.  Harris,  president;  Harry  Fahler  and 
Frank  G.  Prescott,  vice-presidents;  R.  W.  Hensel,  cashier;  Donald 
Faber  and  Fred  Swanson,  assistant  cashiers. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         185 


c 


BLESSINGS  OF  CIVILIZATION 


JL  T  is  hard  for  one  to  believe  that  the  Mendota  of  75  years  ago  had 
neither  gas,  electricity,  water  or  phones.  We  who  have  come  to  accept 
these  conveniences  as  indispensible  and  as  a  matter  of  course  can  hardly 
visualize  this  city  of  4,000  people  getting  along  with  dug  wells,  candles 
and  lamps,  outside  plumbing,  and,  wonder  of  wonders,  without  the 
telephone.  These  modern  necessities  of  life  came  along  at  different 
times,  involved  divergent  interests  and  created  and  solved  such  special 
problems  in  this  community  that  they  will  be  treated  under  separate 
headings  in  the  interests  of  clarity  and  cohesion.  The  water  system, 
always  city  owned  and  operated,  will  come  last  because  it  really  did, 
owing  to  a  peculiar  set  of  local  happenings,  wind  up  the  parade  as  the 
utilities  entered  the  life  of  the  community.  Gas,  electricity  and  phones, 
in  the  order  named,  reached  this  town  under  private  sponsorship  and 
have  always  so  remained. 


LAMPS  TO  BURNERS 

Mendota  was  the  fourth  city  served  by  the  Illinois  Northern 
Utilities  Company  (now  a  branch  of  Public  Service  company)  to 
install  a  gas  service.  At  a  special  meeting  of  the  city  council  on 
September  9,  1874,  Darlington  Turnbolt  of  Lincoln,  Illinois,  presented 
a  petition,  with  copy  of  ordinance  attached  for  erection  of  a  gas  works 
and  the  laying  of  gas  mains  in  the  city.  At  the  same  time  a  similar 
petition  was  presented  by  F.  W.  Robinson  on  behalf  of  the  Western 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         187 


Excelsior  Gas  company  of  Chicago.  Apparently  Mr.  Turnbolt  was  the 
winner,  for  the  council  at  its  meeting  of  September  9,  1874,  granted 
to  him  and  his  associates  a  10-year  franchise  for  such  purposes,  with 
the  stipulations  that  at  least  two  miles  of  pipe  must  be  laid  in  six 
months,  1%  miles  to  be  in  1st  and  2nd  wards,  with  %  mile  in  the  3rd 
and  4th.  Aldermen  Scott,  Ruggles,  Meisenbach,  Imus  and  Andress 
comprised  the  committee  to  which  the  above  propositions  were  referred. 

Immediately  after  granting  of  charter  the  Mendota  Gas  Company 
was  organized  and  proceeded  to  build  the  first  gas  plant  at  Ninth 
avenue  and  Fifth  street,  where  coal  gas  was  produced  for  the  ensuing 
25  years,  supplementary  water-gas  and  oil-gas  units  being  installed 
later  on. 

Gas  was  turned  on  in  the  evening  of  January  1,  1875.  Forty 
meters  were  in  place,  with  20  on  order  and  10,000  feet  of  gas  in  the 
gas  holder,  thus  introducing  an  era  of  no  little  import  in  the  history 
of  Mendota.  Inside  of  a  month  there  were  gas  lights  at  the  sixth  and 
eighth  street  railroad  crossings.  In  the  spring  70  meters  were  in  place, 
while  gas  street  lights  were  installed  during  the  summer  of  the  same 
year. 

There  was,  of  course,  a  lamplighter. 


NATURAL  GAS 

On  October  10,  1885,  the  Mendota  Natural  Gas  company,  Incorpo- 
rated, was  formed  with  100  shares  at  $100  per  share.  A  franchise  was 
given  by  the  city.  Under  this  ordinance  they  were  required  to  lay 
pipes  to  any  lamp  post,  also  to  any  residence  within  thirty  days  pro- 
vided: "that  said  grantee  shall  not  be  required  to  lay  mains  to  any 
residence  unless  such  residence  be  within  a  block  which  is  consecutive 
with  another  block  in  which  gas  is  used".  On  October  17  drilling  was 
begun  on  the  Guiles  farm,  the  state  geologist  having  indicated  that  gas 
would  lie  in  the  Trenton  Limestone.  This  venture  never  developed  to 
the  point  where  gas  was  had  in  quality  or  quantity  to  warrant  dis- 
tribution. 

The  Mendota  Gas  company  served  the  city  under  an  exclusive 
franchise  until  1895,  when  the  newly  formed  Mendota  Light  and  Heat 
company  built  its  competing  plant  at  the  "Y"  and  laid  mains  to  all 
parts  of  the  city.  Thereafter  the  two  companies  were  in  most  bitter 
competition.  Mendota  was  one  of  a  very  few  cities  in  the  state  to  have 
more  than  one  gas  company. 

Maximum  rates  were  established  by  charter  at  this  time  at  $1.50 


188         MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


per  1000  cubic  feet  for  illumination  and  $1.25  per  1000  for  heating. 
But  the  competing  companies  engaged  in  a  rate  war,  during  which, 
for  example,  they  extended  mains  to  any  part  of  the  city  and  placed  the 
gas  service  in  the  home  at  no  charge  to  the  customer.  As  a  result  of 
this  friction,  with  free  service  and  low  rates,  the  newer  company  failed 
after  about  ten  years  operation,  leaving  the  field  to  the  Mendota  Gas 
company,  which  continued  to  serve  the  community  until  1912,  when  all 
gas  and  electric  facilities  in  the  city  were  taken  over  by  Illinois  Northern 
Utilities  company. 


POSITIVELY,  MR.  EDISON 

Mendota  was  the  first  city  in  the  state  to  have  electric  lights, 
largely  as  the  result  of  the  genius  and  energy  of  Lewis  R.  Curtis,  of  the 
hardware  business  of  Curtis  &  Rude.  The  city  council,  in  1883,  gave 
a  15-year  franchise  to  Mr.  Curtis,  Max  A.  F.  Haass,  David  Rude  and 
Frank  P.  Snyder  to  install  and  erect  an  electric  light  works,  the  privilege 
so  granted  to  extend  to  the  corporation,  Mendota  Electric  Light  com- 
pany, if  organized.  The  company  was  in  fact  speedily  organized, 
through  local  stock  subscriptions.  The  precise  sequence  of  events 
initiating  this  marvel  into  Mendota  can  best  be  told  by  quoting  the 
man  who  was  there,  Ye  Editor,  through  extracts  From  The  Mendota 
Bulletin. 

Aug.  24,  1883 

Western  Edison  Light  Company 
August  22,  1883 
Mr.  L.  R.  Curtis 
Mendota,  111. 
Dear  Sir:- 

Yours  of  the  21st  at  hand,  and  in  reply  will  state  we  have  the 
apparatus  for  the  exhibition  plant  on  hand  here,  all  ready  to  be  shipped 
at  the  proper  time,  and  there  will  not  be  a  moment  of  delay  after  Mr. 
Edison  has  sent  on  the  estimates  for  the  central  station. 

Mr.  Edison  understands  how  urgent  the  case  is  in  Mendota,  and 
is  doing  everything  in  his  power  to  get  the  estimates  through  promptly. 

There  is  a  great  deal  of  scientific  work  to  be  performed  in  this 
business  and  it  takes  some  time  to  get  through  with  it. 

Yours  truly, 

Geo.  H.  Bliss 

Gen'l  Sup't 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         189 


Oct.  5,  1883 
An  exhibition  plant  of  the  Edison  Electric  Co.  has  been  on  ex- 
hibition in  Mendota  this  week  under  the  management  of  Engineer 
E.  T.  Ames,  and  last  night  the  dynamo  was  set  in  motion  by  a  shaft 
from  the  Carpenter  Organ  Factory.  The  business  houses  of  Curtis  & 
Rude  and  Max  Haass  were  connected  with  the  works  by  electric  cables, 
and  were  splendidly  illuminated  by  a  variety  of  electric  lamps  and 
burners.  About  25  burners  were  in  use,  any  one  or  all  of  which  could 
be  instantly  lighted  or  extinguished  by  the  turn  of  a  key. 

Oct.  12,  1883 

The  exhibition  of  the  electric  light  closed  last  night  after  a 
continuance  of  one  week.  It  is  apparent  to  all  that  the  light  has  gained 
popularity  each  succeeding  evening  of  the  exhibit.  Last  evening  an 
interesting  feature  was  illustrated  by  placing  a  lighted  Edison  lamp 
inside  a  paper  basket  filled  with  shavings,  where  it  continued  to  burn 
uninterruptedly  the  entire  evening  without  igniting  the  shavings,  thus 
demonstrating  its  absolute  safety  as  to  danger  from  fire. 

The  incorporators  of  the  Mendota  Electric  Light  Company  have 
every  reason  to  congratulate  themselves  upon  the  success  of  the  exhibit. 

Nov.  2,  1883 

The  new  electric  light  will  probably  be  started  on  Saturday  eve- 
ning. The  machine  will  arrive  today  and  be  put  up  in  Strawn's  sash 
and  door  factory  at  once.  The  following  are  the  stores  to  be  lighted: 
Stiefel  &  Co.,  3  burners;  Piergue,  1;  Cheenly,  1;  Spencer,  1;  Gillen,  3; 
Walsh,  1;  Alshuler,  2;  Tiers,  1;  Forbes  &  Lorriax,  2;  Hummer  & 
Duncan,  1;  Forbes  &  Flick,  2;  M.  B.  Mitchell's  Cigar  Store,  1;  and  1  at 
the  machine  office.  These,  with  the  16  now  burning  nightly,  will  give 
us  36  electric  lights,  and  there  is  room  for  more. 

Thus,  modestly,  comes  a  new  era.  Within  a  few  years  the  plant 
was  moved  to  the  spot  on  Illinois  Street  now  occupied  by  National  Tea, 
later  to  a  location  near  the  Inderrieden  plant.  During  the  period 
1910-1912  several  financial  transactions  resulted  in  acquisition  by 
Illinois  Northern  Utilities  Company,  the  present  owners,  Public  Service 
Company,  division  of  Commonwealth  Edison  Co.  As  a  sidelight  on 
growth  of  the  business,  which  is  about  at  its  half-way  mark  in  this 
community,  let  it  be  known  that  in  1912  there  were  in  Mendota  600 
users  of  electricity  and  gas. 

As  late  as  1890  the  system  was  confined  to  the  business  area, 
where  arc  lights  were  in  common  use  in  the  stores  —  a  very  noisy 
device  and  one  in  which  the  carbon  rods  required  daily  replacement. 

The  original  plant,  at  the  present  National  Tea  location  on  Illinois 

190        MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


street,  was  built  shortly  after  organization  of  the  company.  For  the 
first  three  years  the  equipment  was  a  Thompson-Houston  system  for 
arc  lights,  only.  Then  a  Westinghouse  200-light  direct  current  machine 
was  installed.  Alternating  current  generators,  making  possible  the  use 
of  transformers  and  city-wide  distribution,  were  installed  in  the  early 
90's.  The  first  commercial  customer  was  the  Curtis  &  Rude  Hardware 
Store  and  the  first  residential  customer  was  the  L.  R.  Curtis  residence 
at  411  Eighth  Street.  Mr.  Curtis,  whose  foresight  and  energy  were 
largely  responsible  for  Mendota's  first  electric  light  system,  installed 
a  private  burglar  alarm  at  his  house,  one  which  turned  on  all  the  lights 
in  the  house  when  any  door  or  window  was  opened. 

Rates  for  electricity  were  75c  per  lamp  per  month  and  $12  per 
month  for  commercial  arc  lights.  Only  dusk  to  midnight  service  was 
given  prior  to  1895. 


THE   NAME   CHANGES 

The  company  changed  its  name  to  Mendota  Light  and  Heat  com- 
pany in  1895  when  it  secured  a  new  franchise  for  both  electricity  and 
gas  service.  The  electric  plant  was  then  moved  to  the  "Y"  where  a  new 
gas  plant  was  being  built.  At  this  time  24  hour  service  was  inaugurated. 
Under  the  new  franchise  the  company  was  allowed  to  charge  lc  per 
hour  for  each  incandescent  light  of  16  candlepower,  or  $2.50  per  month 
per  lamp  for  unlimited  use. 

In  1911  the  Mendota  Light  and  Heat  company,  also  the  competing 
gas  company,  were  taken  over  by  Illinois  Valley  Gas  and  Electric  com- 
pany. Through  various  changes  in  name  and  transfers  this  unified 
operation  has  ever  since  continued  to  supply  both  gas  and  electricity, 
the  firm  being  presently  the  Public  Service  Company,  Division  of 
Commonwealth  Edison  Company. 


There  are  at  this  time  2100  electric  customers  and  1200  gas  cus- 
tomers served  by  the  Mendota  office,  with  a  total  of  almost  23  miles 
of  gas  distribution  mains  which  are  just  now  in  process  of  providing 
natural  gas  to  Mendota  sufficient  for  all  purposes,  including  residential 
and  commercial  heat  and  power. 

The  Mendota  office  is  under  the  capable  management  of  Jack 
Keefe,  now  35  years  with  the  company  and  in  his  twentieth  year  as 
manager  of  the  Mendota  office. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         191 


WELL,  WELL! 

The  story  of  the  city's  attempts  at  an  early  water  supply  for  fire 
protection  and  for  drinking  is  told  in  the  chapter  on  city  government, 
titled  "and  for  the  People."  Better  known  as  the  Artesian  Well  fiasco, 
this  ludicrous  if  not  tragic  effort  cost  $15,000  and  had  the  entire  city 
at  fever  pitch  a  number  of  years. 

Something  was  accomplished,  for  inside  of  a  month  T.  B.  Black- 
stone  offered  to  sell  to  the  city  for  $1  Lot  16  in  Block  49,  which  was 
selected  as  the  site  for  the  water  works,  but  if  used,  there  is  no  record. 
The  Blackstone  lot  is  on  the  corner  of  the  block  south  of  Mendota 
Trouser  company.  Tests  were  run,  however,  later  in  the  summer. 
A  three  foot  vein  was  found  at  37  feet,  with  gas  lying  underneath,  while 
at  90  feet  water  was  forced  60  feet  up  the  tube. 

The  water  works  was  still  under  extended  discussion  in  the  fall 
of  the  year,  while  in  the  winter  the  council  voted  to  connect  mains  to 
the  C  B  &  Q  water  tank  for  extension  to  the  schools  of  the  city,  for  fire 
protection  only.  With  nine  hydrants,  the  cost  of  the  work,  apparently 
the  first  to  be  done  on  the  city  water  system,  was  estimated  at  $4,000. 
In  the  summer  of  1884  bids  were  taken.  On  June  21  it  was  announced 
that  the  mains  were  laid.  Tests  showed  that  there  was  enough  pressure 
to  throw  a  stream  a  distance  of  100  feet  and  to  a  height  of  60  feet. 
The  main  was  1908  feet  long  from  the  tank  on  Sixth  street  to  Molln's 
corner;  437  feet  from  the  same  tank  to  Heafy's  corner  on  Sixth  street; 
and  1243  feet  from  the  Eighth  street  tank  to  N.  C.  Cummings  corner. 
In  the  fall  of  1884  the  council  moved  to  extend  the  mains  south  and 
west  to  Donohue  &  Madden's  factory  and  to  the  organ  factory,  and  in 
this  project  they  seem  to  have  been  no  proper  guardians  of  the  public 
coffers,  for  in  December  they  increased  the  pay  of  the  men  laying  the 
mains  from  15c  per  hour  to  $1.25  for  an  8  hour  day. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  1889  that  Mendota  secured  a  proper 
water  plant,  with  water  suitable  for  any  purpose  other  than  fire  pro- 
tection. The  new  water  works,  located  at  the  present  site  north  of  the 
Tower  factory,  was  tested  in  January  of  that  year  and  found  to  be 
highly  satisfactory.  An  airlift  pump  was  employed  having  a  capacity 
of  150  gallons  per  minute  out  of  the  St.  Peters  sandstone,  415  feet 
down,  bringing  to  the  city  water  "perfectly  pure  for  drinking  and 
culinary  purposes."     The  dug  well  was  finally  on  its  way  to  oblivion. 

The  new  system  was  also  eminently  satisfactory  for  fire  protection, 
as  the  standpipe  pressure  alone  would  force  "a  large  stream  from  a 

192  MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


1^4  mcn  nozzle  to  the  third  story  of  the  Pohl  Block,"  while  the  pumps 
would  send  three  perpendicular  columns  over  100  feet  into  the  air. 
So,  too,  now  passed  the  dreary  editorial  comment  following  disastrous 
fires,  "There  was  no  water  to  fight  the  blaze." 

From  these  modest  beginnings,  the  city  owned  and  operated 
water  plant  now  has  two  wells,  with  a  capacity  of  850  gallons  per 
minute,  a  reservoir  holding  700,000  gallons,  29  miles  of  water  mains, 
with  142  hydrants  and  1850  meter  connections. 

The  older  wells  brought  up  water  which,  though  generally  satis- 
factory, had  an  over-abundance  of  iron,  which  clogged  the  mains  and 
stained  the  porcelain  of  fixtures.  The  latest  well,  completed  only  last 
year,  brings  forth  water  which  is  free  of  iron,  but  which  has  half  again 
the  hardness  of  the  old  water.  Thus  it  is  that  the  housewife  always 
loses  —  what  she  saves  in  scouring  powder  she  must  spend  on  soap  or 
water  softening.  But  these  things,  too,  will  be  cured  in  good  season 
and  in  the  meantime  we  enjoy  a  bountiful  supply  of  water  which  in 
most  respects  is  excellent,  thanks  to  the  trials  and  tribulations  and 
perseverence  of  those  who  have  gone  before. 


"HELLO"   GIRLS 

The  early  history  of  telephones  in  Mendota  is  obscure.  Strangely 
enough,  this  innovation  must  have  caused  scarcely  a  ripple,  if  one  may 
judge  from  the  scarcity  of  comment  in  the  press  of  that  day  and  age. 
We  learn  that  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook  had  a  phone  between  his  home  and  his 
office  next  door  as  early  as  1881;  that  the  city  council  granted  a  tele- 
phone franchise  in  1882  to  the  Central  Telephone  company,  probably 
the  direct  ancestor  of  the  Central  Union  company  so  prominent  at  a 
later  date;  that  phones  were  installed  shortly  thereafter;  but  of  the 
early  virtues  and  vices  of  this  world-shaking  invention,  or  of  the  trials, 
tribulations,  squawks  and  problems  attending  its  birth  in  this  commu- 
nity we  learn  but  little. 

The  local  press  announces  under  date  of  August  5,  1882: 

The  telephone  men  completed  the  line  from  LaSalle  to  Mendota 
last  Saturday  which  now  connects  us  with  Ottawa,  Peru,  Princeton, 
Dover,  Joliet  &  Streator.  Last  Thursday  after  the  connection  had  been 
made  with  LaSalle,  Circuit  Clerk  Taylor  was  called  at  Ottawa  and  a 
clear  and  distinct  communication  carried  on.  The  men  are  in  town 
now  and  telephones  will  be  placed  in  position  next  week.  Central  office 
will  be  in  Police  Magistrate  Lambertons  office. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         193 


While  on  September  16,  1882: 

There  is  dissatisfaction  against  the  telephone  company  rule  in  not 
allowing  free  use  of  its  lines  from  this  city  to  other  points  in  the 
county.  At  present  there  are  but  17  subscribers  and  benefit  is  slight 
if  payment  is  demanded  for  transmission  of  messages  to  other  points — 
The  Reporter  office  has  encouraged  the  company  by  having  an  instru- 
ment placed  in  its  office,  but  it  is  an  expensive  luxury  at  present. 

Aside  from  these  brief  comments,  the  subject  is  hardly  mentioned. 
Perhaps  Doctor  Cook  had  already  skimmed  the  cream  of  novelty  and 
glamor  from  the  milk  of  invention. 

In  1893  a  franchise  was  granted  to  the  Automatic  Telephone  Com- 
pany, the  activity  of  which  is  thought  to  have  been  slight,  while  in  1897 
the  City  of  Mendota  granted  a  franchise  to  the  Mendota  &  Sublette 
Telephone  and  Electric  company  to  use  the  streets  and  alleys  for  a 
telephone  system.  They  were  to  allow  city  officers  to  use  the  phone  on 
city  business  free  of  charge,  and  granted  to  the  city  the  right  to  install 
and  maintain  upon  their  poles  a  wire  for  fire  alarm  purposes.  The 
rights  under  this  franchise  were  exercised. 


PARTY  LINE 

A  telephone  system  was  built  in  Mendota  and  Sublette,  which 
operated  for  several  years.  There  was  no  switchboard  at  either  end, 
all  subscribers  being  on  the  one  line,  getting  into  contact  with  one 
another  by  signal  rings.  Likewise,  every  subscriber  could,  by  merely 
lifting  his  receiver,  listen  in  on  all  traffic  in  the  system  —  an  exception- 
ally chummy  arrangement.  In  October,  1900,  this  company,  which  was 
a  partnership  affair,  assigned  its  interests  to  Northern  Illinois  Telephone 
company,  which  through  various  developments  is  in  direct  line  of 
descent  with  the  present  company.  The  owners  of  the  old  company 
at  the  turn  of  the  century  were  Charles  E.  Cook,  C.  Henning,  Anton  H. 
Lauer,  A.  J.  Lauer,  Joseph  Schwarz,  T.  W.  Lauer,  J.  C.  Stough,  P.  H. 
Maus,  P.  M.  Maus,  W.  B.  Garrett  and  Phillip  Mueller. 

Northern  Illinois,  upon  purchase  of  the  Mendota  &  Sublette  com- 
pany, leased  from  John  &  William  Faber  the  "front  and  rear  room  with 
closet  privilege  on  second  floor"  near  United  cigar  store  on  Illinois 
avenue  for  the  sum  of  $12  per  month. 

One  year  earlier,  the  competing  company,  Central  Union,  had 
leased  for  exchange  quarters  the  second  floor  of  the  Walter  Building  on 
Jefferson.     It  is  not  clear  when  Central  Union  first  came  to  Mendota, 


194 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


but  it  is  said  that  prior  to  leasing  the  Walter  premises,  it  had  operated 
in  Mendota  through  an  exchange  in  Aurora. 

In  1909  the  Northern  Illinois  company  moved  to  the  second  floor 
of  Tony  Bennauer's  building  on  Jefferson  street.  A  year  or  two  later, 
after  having  acquired  the  competing  Central  Union  business,  Northern 
moved  to  the  present  premises  on  Washington  street. 

The  nucleus  of  the  telephone  expansion  was,  of  course,  the  city- 
wide  company,  with  switchboard  and  facilities  servicing  their  one  com- 
munity. Right  away,  however,  these  various  towns  and  cities  became 
eager  to  talk  with  each  other.  First,  this  necessitated  cross-country 
lines.  Second,  it  involved  working  arrangements  and  cross-billing 
systems  between  the  individual  companies. 

The  cross-country  lines  were  really  a  problem,  for  aside  from  the 
cost  and  the  technical  difficulties,  they  met  with  generally  active  resist- 
ance from  the  abutting  landowners  along  their  pole  line,  who  were 
somewhat  fearful  of  all  poles,  wires  and  things  electric  which  might 
make  the  cows  go  dry  and  make  the  hens  quit  laying;  also  quite  natu- 
rally resentful  of  any  newfangled  contraption  which  might  benefit  the 
city  folks  but  could  be  of  no  earthly  advantage  to  them. 

Our  own  Claude  Radley,  who  started  in  the  telephone  business  in 
1900  and  who  ran  the  Mendota  exchange  for  almost  45  years,  tells  us 
that  they  had  lots  of  trouble  around  the  turn  of  the  century  on  the 
line  between  here  and  Earlville.  There  was  one  farm  owner  six  miles 
out  who  violently  refused  to  let  them  go  down  the  road  past  his  farm. 
Soon  they  had  the  line  built  up  to  him  from  each  side.  Then  one 
Sunday  when  their  objector  was  in  church  they  ran  the  line  down  the 
road  past  his  place,  having  it  in  operation  on  his  return  home,  where- 
upon they  read  to  him  the  State  law  making  it  a  penitentiary  offense 
to  disturb  the  poles  or  lines  of  an  operating  telephone  system.  Thus 
was  the  matter  concluded. 


SIT-DOWN  STRIKE 

Even  closer  at  hand,  the  telephone  men  brought  up  a  pole  to  put 
in  place,  only  to  find  the  owner  of  the  abutting  property  down  in  the 
newly  dug  hole.  He  refused  to  get  out.  The  original,  no  doubt,  of  the 
sit-down  strike.  A  new  hole  was  dug  alongside  and  work  proceeded. 
It  was  obviously  impossible  for  a  man  to  stand  in  two  holes  at  one  and 
the  same  time. 

Mr.  Radley  also  has  a  franchise  granted  to  the  Lee  County  Tele- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         195 


phone  company  for  use  of  the  roads  and  highways  of  LaSalle  county 
by  the  LaSalle  county  board  on  March  10,  1899.  This  franchise  in- 
cludes a  provision,  not  considered  unique  at  the  time,  "that  all  super- 
visors and  other  county  officials  shall  have  the  free  use  of  all  public 
telephones  in  this  county  belonging  to  this  company  for  official  busi- 
ness and  the  like  free  use  of  public  telephones  in  all  adjoining  counties 
for  official  business." 

With  the   advent   of   connecting  lines   between   these   small  local 
companies,  the  paper  work,  billings,  cross-tolls  and  the  like  became 
staggering.    Moreover,  hardly  a  one  of  these  home  outfits  had  enough 
financing  or  operating  capital  to  keep  pace  with  maintenance  and  re- 
placements, to   say  nothing  of  the  obsolescence  caused  by  the   rapid 
technological  developments  in  the  business.     Consequently,  these  small 
companies  no  sooner  took  a  few  breaths  of  life  and  started  looking 
around,  so  to  speak,  than  they  began  to  combine.     This  solved  some 
problems,  but  created  new  ones.     Almost  every  small  company  which 
sold  out  to  the  combine  or  holding  company  insisted  upon  free  tolls 
for  its  then  subscribers  over  the  entire  system  of  the  larger  company. 
A  keen  view  of  this  problem  is  set  forth  in  a  letter  sent  out  in 
1903  to  the  subscribers  of  the  Northern  Illinois  Telephone  company. 
"A  large  percent  of  the  time  consumed  on  toll  lines  consists 
of  unimportant  business  and  will  entail  on  no  one  any  hard- 
ship to  be  asked  to  pay  toll  where  such  use  of  the  lines  is 
made  outside  of  our  territory.    A  business  man  can  find  more 
remunerative  use  for  his  time  than  by  wasting  from  a  half 
hour  to  an  hour  waiting  his  turn  for  a  line,  and  will  gladly 
pay  the  small  charge  which  will  give  him  the  prompt  service 
wanted." 

Apparently  the  free-haul  was  getting  them  down.  But  those  who 
shudder  at  the  number  and  cost  of  their  long  distance  calls  in  this  day 
and  age,  will  get  a  wry  sort  of  relish  out  of  the  next  paragraph: 

"What  we  will  give  free  after  the  first  day  of  February,  1903 

is  the  following  including  our  own  exchanges  and  those  of  adjacent 
companies  with  whom  we  have  arranged: 

Arlington  Helmar  Millbrook  Plattville  Serena 

Baker  Henkel  Meriden  PawPaw  Triumph 

Bristol  Hinckley  Mendota  Piano  Troy  Grove 

Compton  Lisbon  Nettle  Creek  Sandwich  Van  Orin 

Danway  Little  Rock  Na-au-say  Somonauk  W.  Brooklyn 

DeKalb  Leland  Newark  Sheridan  Waterman 

Earlville  LaMoille  Norway  Sublette  Yorkville 

Freedom  Lee  Oswego  Shabbona 

Freeland  Millington  Ohio  Sycamore 

Beyond  this  we  will  charge  10c  to  each  other  exchange  in  the 
adjoining  county  and  5c  more  for  each  additional  county." 


196 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


During  the  90's  there  was  a  company  operating  in  and  between 
Mendota  and  Sublette,  without  access,  it  seems,  to  other  communities. 
This  is  not  too  strange,  however,  for  the  condition  during  this  period 
was  chaotic.  Right  here  in  Mendota  there  were  two  separate  telephone 
companies  operating  at  the  turn  of  the  century  —  the  Central  Union 
Telephone  company  and  the  Northern  Illinois  Telephone  company,  one 
with  a  local  exchange,  the  other  with  local  subscribers,  but  with  its 
exchange  in  Aurora.  During  this  period  it  was  necessary  for  an  in- 
dividual or  business  house  wishing  full  Mendota  coverage  to  have  two 
phones  and  two  phone  books,  as  there  were  no  cross-exchange  facilities 
between  the  rival  companies. 

The  old  company  in  Mendota  was  the  Central  Union.  The  new 
one,  Northern  Illinois,  started  operating  early  in  the  year  1901  with 
150  subscribers,  and  hopes  of  securing  a  total  of  200.  Mr.  Wylie,  who 
had  for  a  number  of  years  managed  the  old  company,  went  over  to 
Northern  Illinois.  The  new  equipment  was  said  to  have  been  the  most 
modern,  the  company  stipulating  that  each  subscriber  should  have  a 
modern  phone  with  direct  "metallic  circuit"  to  the  switch  board,  a  great 
change  from  the  party  line  "hello-boxes"  which  were  being  used  by 
Central  Union. 

A  pretty  definite  pattern  was  followed  by  the  local  communities 
in  reaching  toward  the  present  nation-wide  telephone  system.  Char- 
acteristic of  this  pattern  is  the  tiny  system  still  operated  by  Chester 
Wills. 


PRIVATE  ENTERPRISE 

The  Wills  Telephone  Company  is  probably  the  most  remarkable 
utility  in  America,  we  learned.  It  has  just  seven  subscribers,  including 
Mr.  Wills  and  his  son-in-law,  Bob  Fitch,  who  operates  the  Wills  farm. 
It  is  a  full-fledged  operation,  however,  and  Mr.  Wills  is  not  only  presi- 
dent —  he  is  also  toll  clerk  and  line  maintenance  man.  In  a  sense  he 
is  also  the  public  relations  man,  for  he  frequently  has  to  contend  with 
irate  subscribers  whose  phones  may  not  be  working  just  right. 

The  telephone  line  has  no  switchboard,  having  an  arrangement 
with  the  Mendota  switchboard  to  handle  all  calls,  on  a  contract  basis. 
The  Wills  telephone  line  connects  with  the  local  telephone  cable  near 
Srul  Koopersmith's  junk  yard. 

All  this  is  just  a  hobby  with  Mr.  Wills,  the  same  as  some  men  like 
to  fool  with  model  railroads.  The  telephone  line  was  founded  by  his 
father,  Oscar  Wills,  in  1895,  when  he  graduated  from  the  University 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP  197 


of  Illinois.  He  set  up  the  rural  phone  company  to  accommodate  him- 
self and  neighbors.  It's  been  buzzing  along  ever  since.  At  first  they 
had  the  old  kind  of  phones  that  had  a  big  box  and  crank.  Being  pro- 
gressive, they  later  put  in  the  stand  type  of  phones,  and  now  have  the 
French  type  that  hang  on  a  hook  on  the  box. 

Chester  thinks  he  has  a  few  of  the  original  phones  stored  away  in 
a  barn  loft  somewhere. 

The  system  operates  with  batteries  and  magnetoes,  and  is  strong 
enough  to  overcome  a  lot  of  interference. 

Maintaining  the  company's  vast  2y2  miles  of  double-wire  lines  is 
no  easy  job.  Many's  the  stormy  night  Mr.  Wills  has  walked  the  line 
to  repair  a  snapped  wire.  The  lines  are  stretched  on  two-by-fours, 
seven  feet  high,  spiked  to  fence  posts.  The  line  runs  from  the  Wills 
home  east  and  past  the  sewage  disposal  plant  to  the  fairgrounds  road 
and  back  along  the  Illinois  Central  tracks  into  Mendota. 

Mr.  Wills'  biggest  problem  in  maintenance  is  when  power  lines 
that  cross  his  system  fall  down  during  sleet  storms.  His  system  is 
pretty  well  protected  by  fuses,  although  once  several  phones  burned 
out.  Such  dangerous  situations  he  leaves  strictly  alone  until  the  power 
companies  remove  their  lines. 

Once  a  dump  truck  overturned  along  the  Illinois  Central  right-of- 
way,  tumbling  down  his  poles  and  breaking  the  wires.  Chester  fixed 
this  right  away. 

Several  years  ago  when  the  big  Easter  sleet  storm  created  havoc 
with  miles  of  phone  lines  in  this  area,  the  Wills  Telephone  system  was 
the  first  line  back  in  operation.  It  took  only  three  days  to  restore 
service,  says  Mr.  Wills  proudly. 


THE  MARCH  OF  PROGRESS 

Having  no  big  poles,  Mr.  Wills  does  not  possess  a  pair  of  those 
spike  climbers  which  most  linemen  use  to  shinny  up  poles.  Mr. 
Wills  related  this  shortcoming  rather  regretfully,  and,  we  thought, 
wistfully. 

During  the  war  his  little  telephone  line  was  officially  classed  as 
an  essential  industry,  enabling  him  to  purchase  wire  and  repairs. 

Just  to  test  the  efficiency  of  his  phone  line,  we  put  through  a  call 
to  Mr.  Wills.  We  got  the  connection  right  away,  and  his  voice  came 
through  just  dandy. 

Mr.  Wills  is  not  sure  how  long  he  can  perpetuate  this  hobby  of 
continuing  the  58-year-old  telephone  system.     There  is  talk  of  a  dial 


198         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


system  for  Mendota.  Chester  does  not  think  he  can  cope  with  the 
complicated  system  of  electronic  relays  and  dial  equipment.  Thus  the 
irresistible  march  of  progress  may  in  the  end  spell  the  doom  of  his 
enterprise. 

But  his  seven  subscribers,  who  pay  regular  phone  rates,  hope  not. 

*     *     * 

It  was  not  until  the  period  1910-1912  when  both  Mendota  Tele- 
phone companies  were  taken  into  the  Bell  system  that  the  city  had  a 
unified  telephone  exchange.  Since  this  time  the  local  company,  now 
by  re-organization  and  change  of  name,  General  Telephone  Company 
of  Illinois,  has  pretty  well  kept  pace  with  technological  changes  and  is 
just  now,  under  the  management  of  John  Drilling,  breaking  ground  for 
a  new  telephone  exchange  building,  with  the  dial  system,  located  on 
Washington  Street  west  of  the  library.  Mendota  exchange  employs  35 
people  and  handles  2700  installed  phones  of  which  500  are  rural;  prov- 
ing to  the  man  who  stood  in  the  hole  that  the  telephone  can  be  of  serv- 
ice to  the  farming  community. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         199 


s 


>OME  HOT  TIMES 
IN  THE  OLD  TOWN 


JLn  1871,  while  Chicago  was  roasting  in  the  inferno  that  may  or  may 
not  have  been  kicked  off  by  Mrs.  O'Leary's  cow,  Mendota  itself  was 
going  to  the  blazes  for  the  second  consecutive  year. 

And  this  time,  the  citizens  became  a  little  concerned  about  the 
matter. 

The  first  Great  Fire  had  been  a  year  earlier  on  a  night  in  June. 
The  conflagration,  which  may  have  been  the  work  of  an  incendiary 
but  most  certainly  not  that  of  a  cow,  started  in  a  feed  store  located 
where  Charles  Montagnoli's  grocery  store  now  stands.  Before  it  was 
extinguished,  virtually  all  of  the  south  side  of  Washington  street  was 
destroyed,  the  flames  whipping  rough-shod  through  dry  frame  buildings 
until  they  reached  the  brick  block  wall  of  the  Kreis  and  Marks  building. 

Merchants  on  the  north  side  of  the  street  threw  wet  carpets  over 
their  store  fronts  in  an  effort  to  prevent  a  leap  of  the  flames  across 
the  street. 

Until  this  time,  there  had  been  no  organized  fire  department. 
When  a  fire  broke  out,  all  hands  in  the  vicinity  merely  pitched  in, 
forming  a  bucket  brigade,  the  brawny  men  hurrying  away  from  their 
homes,  carrying  a  pail  or  some  other  receptacle. 

This  disaster,  and  others,  however,  had  made  the  young  city 
conscious  of  the  need  for  adequate  protection,  and  a  few  weeks  later 
an  ordinance  was  passed  providing  for  a  fire  company.  This  was  to 
be  comprised  of  city  officials  plus  a  fire  warden  and  an  assistant,  who 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         201 


were  to  be  aided  by  any  citizens  they  might  call  upon  when  the  fire 
broke  out. 

The  new  fire  brigade  purchased  18  Babcock  fire  extinguishers. 
Town  authorities  went  to  Chicago  to  witness  a  demonstration  of  a 
recently  invented  fire  engine. 

Later  the  city  purchased  a  hand  operated  pump,  which  was  set  on 
a  truck  and  drawn  to  the  fire  by  the  firemen.  The  pump  was  operated 
much  the  same  as  a  handcar  on  a  railroad  track.  A  system  of  water 
mains  was  also  laid;  two  deep  wells  were  drilled,  going  down  over 
500  feet  into  the  St.  Peters  sandstone  where  a  splendid  vein  of  water 
was  found. 

In  1871,  a  citizen's  patrol  of  40  members  was  organized,  three 
watchmen  to  be  detailed  to  each  ward  at  night. 


THE  SECOND  BIG  FIRE 

The  inadequacy  of  even  these  improvements,  however,  was  to  be 
proved  in  November  of  the  same  year,  when  another  large  and  costly 
fire  broke  out  in  Dean's  furniture  store  on  Washington  street.  A  can 
of  varnish  fell  through  a  trapdoor  in  the  second  floor,  breaking  as  it 
landed  on  a  hot  stove. 

In  a  matter  of  seconds,  the  resulting  flames  were  out  of  control. 

In  an  hour,  eight  buildings,  including  Warner's  boarding  house, 
the  old  postoflice  building,  Hawthorne's  wagon  shop,  Fulmer's  flour 
and  feed  shop  and  others,  had  been  consumed.  An  attempt  at  back- 
fire failed. 

The  newspaper  editors  ruefully  wrote  that  1000  pails  of  water 
were  utilized  in  an  ineffectual  attempt  to  stop  the  conflagration.  He 
said  that  this  amount  of  water  would  have  been  ample  to  have  saved 
several  buildings  had  an  engine  been  on  the  scene.  Firemen  were 
praised  for  their  coolness,  promptness  and  alacrity.  "Their  courage," 
the  editor  summarized,  "shows  that  we  have  the  material  for  organ- 
izing an  efficient  fire  company.  .  .  .as  soon  as  we  can  get  an  engine 
to  work  with." 

(One  fire  fighter  had  rushed  to  the  hand  operated  pump,  pumped 
water  in  his  pail  and  rushed  away,  only  to  look  down  and  discover 
his  pail  had  no  bottom.) 

Yes,  this  fire  galvanized  the  community  into  action  and  the  city 
council  voted  $1,000  for  the  purchase  of  a  hand-operated  fire  engine 
and  hose.     They  also  approved  the  purchase  of  100  buckets,  seven  or 


202         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


eight  axes,  three  or  four  ladders,  hooks,  ropes  and  all  necessary  con- 
veniences for  extinguishing  fires. 

They  passed  orders  that  all  were  to  be  marked  "City  of  Mendota." 

Action  came  promptly  and  less  than  a  month  after  this  last  dis- 
aster, Mendota  had  a  fire  engine.  The  engine  and  250  feet  of  hose 
were  purchased  in  Peoria  for  $575. 

The  engine  threw  a  stream  of  water  181  feet  high  at  a  grand 
fireman's  tournament  held  in  Bloomington.  The  Burlington  railroad, 
realizing  the  importance  of  ample  fire  protection  in  Mendota,  trans- 
ported the  engine  free  of  charge. 

And  from  the  ashes  of  this  tragedy  arose  many  of  the  store 
buildings  constituting  the  Mendota  of  today. 

Just  about  that  time  one  of  Mendota's  principal  industries,  the 
Western  Cottage  Organ  company,  employing  (for  those  times)  a 
sizable  number  of  men,  had  been  threatening  to  leave  if  better  pro- 
tection was  not  afforded  against  the  ravages  of  fire.  Ottawa,  the 
county  seat,  persuaded  the  company  to  move  there,  which  it  did  in 
1875,  where  the  company  prospered  but  ironically  suffered  a  $100,000 
fire  loss  a  few  years  later. 

(The  organ  factory  was  located  one  block  west  of  the  present 
St.  John's  Lutheran  church.  Part  of  the  factory  still  stands  and  has 
been  converted  into  an  apartment  building.) 


FRIENDLY(?)    RIVALS 

For  a  brief  period,  Mendota  supported  two  fire  departments. 
The  second  company,  known  as  the  Chemical  company,  was  founded 
in  1876,  and  utilized  a  chemical  engine. 

One  horsecart  was  kept  on  the  east  side  in  a  building  near  the 
present  depot,  the  other  in  the  city  hall  which  was  located  just  east 
of  the  present  library.  Both  fire  companies  would  answer  the  fire 
alarms  and  there  was  considerable  rivalry  to  see  which  would  arrive 
first.     There  is  no  evidence,  however,  of  any  bitterness  in  the  rivalry. 

The  wheels  of  the  horsecarts  were  six  or  more  feet  high  and 
were  drawn  to  the  fires  via  manpower.  Considerable  hose  could  be 
conveyed  to  the  fires  in  this  manner,  although  it  was  doubtless  a 
strenuous  task. 

In  1885,  a  horse-drawn  outfit  was  purchased,  James  Mahar 
furnishing  the  team  to  haul  the  equipment  to  the  fires.  Fred  Schmitt 
usually  took  his  dray  team  and  hauled  the  hook  and  ladder  outfit. 
Naturally,  both  teams  rushed  to  the  fires  as  quickly  as  possible. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         203 


On  February  22,  1912,  Mahar's  skating  rink  feed  stable  and  his 
adjacent  home  burned  to  the  ground.  East  Siders  were  given  the 
scare  of  their  lives  when  they  were  awakened  by  the  fire  alarm. 
Looking  out  they  were  greeted  by  a  shower  of  good-sized  sparks  and 
even  some  small  embers  of  burning  wood.  Many  were  certain  their 
homes  would  all  be  burned  and  urged  members  of  the  household  to 
hurry  and  dress. 

Firemen,  however,  realized  they  could  not  save  the  large  frame 
feed  barn  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  Eighth  street,  and  devoted 
their  efforts  to  keeping  the  flames  from  spreading  to  residences  across 
the  street.  Large  hunks  of  burning  wood  were  carried  as  far  as  five 
blocks,  and  the  town  kept  an  all  night  vigil. 

Not  the  least  of  the  losses  in  this  fire  was  a  fine  black  horse  of 
racing  stock  which  Mahar  had  named  Mendota  Jack  and  prized  highly. 


NEW  QUARTERS 

Later  on  the  city  erected  a  building  centrally  located  at  the 
corner  of  Eighth  avenue  and  Sixth  street  to  house  the  council  rooms 
and  fire  and  police  departments.  A  few  years  later  an  addition  was 
erected  for  the  city  clerk's  office  and  rooms  upstairs  for  the  driver  of 
the  fire  team. 

Frank  Schmitt,  Jr.,  first  driver  of  the  fire  equipment,  resided  in 
the  building  for  several  years. 

The  team  was  also  kept  in  the  building.  When  the  door  of  their 
stall  was  opened  they  stepped  out,  the  harness  was  dropped,  and  away 
they  went.    No  lost  motion  there! 

Oldtimers  recall  with  beaming  nostalgia  the  two  white  horses 
which  drew  the  fire  wagon.  The  wagon  was  red  and  the  brass  harness 
shiny  and  resplendent.  Every  day  the  horses  were  exercised.  Up  and 
down  Washington  street  they  went  at  a  lively  clip,  foretops  flying  and 
tails  flowing.  Horses  came  and  horses  went  —  but  they  were  always 
white.     It  was,  apparently,  a  tradition. 

Spurred  by  periodic  tragic  losses,  however,  the  city  council  was 
ever  ready  to  furnish  the  firemen  with  the  very  latest  in  equipment  and 
eventually  a  motorized  truck  was  purchased.  This  truck  pumped  the 
water  from  the  water  mains  and  gave  it  additional  force. 

Walter  Black  was  the  first  driver  of  the  motorized  fire  truck. 
Others  who  have  held  the  position  through  the  years  were  Joel 
Klinefelter,  Harry  Boslough,  B.  Parsons,  Delbert  Dewhart  and,  for 
the  past  10  years,  William  Elsesser. 


204 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Today,  Mendota  boasts  a  thorough  fire  alarm  system  with  34 
boxes  placed  around  town  for  the  placing  of  fire  alarms.  The  alarm 
is  heard  at  the  fire  station,  at  the  home  of  each  fireman  and  also  at 
the  telephone  office  where  a  disc  is  put  on  an  automatic  contrivance 
setting  off  the  fire  whistle  which  blows  the  number,  repeating  three  or 
four  times  with  a  slight  pause  between  each. 

*         *         « 

The  surrounding  territory  is  also  given  fire  protection,  our  fire- 
men responding  to  calls  in  a  large  area  outside  the  city  limits.  There 
is  a  specially  equipped  truck  used  in  answering  rural  calls,  identified 
by  six  blasts  on  the  fire  whistle. 

Not  all  of  the  department's  work  has  been  connected  with  ex- 
tinguishing fires,  however. 

Not  only  is  there  the  added  responsibility  of  retrieving  kittens 
from  trees  and  little  boys  from  bathrooms,  but  also  the  rescuing  of 
horses  from  cisterns. 

One  winter  day  a  team  of  horses  belonging  to  August  Katzwinkel 
actually  dropped  into  a  cistern  at  the  Mahar  feed  stable.  The  driver 
of  the  team  had  stepped  away  from  the  wagon.  Hearing  a  commotion, 
he  hurried  back  only  to  find  that  the  team  had  disappeared. 

He  found  the  horses  splashing  around  in  the  water  below.  His 
first  thought  was  to  secure  help  and  without  thinking  he  rang  the  fire 
bell. 

The  firemen  responded  and  it  was  but  a  short  time  before  they 
had  set  up  a  tripod  to  which  was  attached  a  large  pulley  and  strong 
rope.  The  harness  was  unbuckled,  a  noose  dropped  over  the  body  of 
each  horse,  and  they  were  brought  to  the  surface  with  very  little  injury. 


OMNIPRESENT  ENEMY 

Despite  precautions,  however,  fire  has  taken  a  heavy  toll  from 
Mendota. 

On  an  icy  December  night  in  1885,  only  a  few  months  after  the 
installation  of  a  new  9-inch  sewer  and  water  main,  Mendota's  fabulous 
union  depot  was  destroyed.  The  stone  structure  containing  a  spacious 
hotel  and  bar  as  well  as  waiting  rooms,  ticket  and  baggage  rooms,  had 
been  considered  the  finest  depot  on  the  Burlington  between  Chicago 
and  Galesburg,  and  had  been  the  scene  of  numerous  top  social  events. 
The  hotel-depot  might  have  been  saved  had  there  been  someone  avail- 
able at  the  time  to  build  up  the  pressure  on  the  water  main. 

On  October  23rd,  1897,  the  Presbyterian  church  was  destroyed  by 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


205 


fire.  It  stood  on  the  same  lot  as  the  present  church  edifice,  was  a 
frame  building  and  faced  east. 

Still  another  historic  church  site  was  razed  by  fire  in  1942  when 
the  Baptist  church,  once  the  pride  of  the  city,  was  burned.  A  modern 
church  has  since  been  erected  to  take  its  place  but  the  loss  had  been 
more  than  physical. 

At  one  time  Mendota  had  a  linseed  oil  mill  located  on  the  vacant 
lot  just  south  of  the  Mendota  Building  Service  office.  H.  S.  Clark 
was  the  owner.  The  mill  had  seen  many  years  of  service  and  was 
impregnated  with  the  oil,  so  that  there  was  little  chance  of  saving  it 
when  it  caught  fire. 

In  1925  the  H.  D.  Conkey  Manufacturing  company  plant  was 
located  in  the  Meisenbach  building  at  the  corner  of  Illinois  avenue 
and  Monroe  street.  When  fire  struck  here,  a  total  loss  was  feared  but 
courageous  firemen  finally  brought  it  under  control  before  damage 
was  complete. 

The  city  was  not  so  fortunate,  however,  on  a  Saturday  night  in 
1937,  when  F.  R.  Bailey's  furniture  store  building,  also  occupied  by 
the  A&P  Grocery  store,  was  consumed  by  flame.  The  complete  stocks 
of  merchandise  were  destroyed. 

The  fire  broke  out  at  11  p.m.,  and  before  long  it  was  feared  that 
it  might  spread  to  the  Mendota  Reporter  building,  just  south  of  the 
furniture  store.  A  call  for  aid  was  sent  to  Peru,  and  in  less  than  30 
minutes  Peru's  new  fire  truck,  previously  untested  in  action,  came 
thundering  down  Washington  street.  They  joined  our  firemen  and 
remained  here  until  daybreak. 


THE  OLD  AND  THE  NEW 

The  earliest  complete  fire  department  roster  which  can  be  un- 
covered today  is  that  of  1898.  (Most  likely  folks  weren't  giving  much 
thought  to  a  Centennial  history  before  that  time  because  few  records 
were  kept.) 

In  the  1898  group  were  Henry  Roth,  secretary ;  Nicholas  Frederick, 
Aug.  Ziebarth,  Jacob  Reul,  Nick  Riegel,  M.  J.  Elsesser,  Frank  Schmitt, 
Jr.,  John  Faber,  William  Hensler,  Casper  Frey,  John  Schaller.  Philip 
Haefner,  John  Full,  George  Geyer,  Clarence  Huck,  Anton  Leven,  John 
Pohl,  Ed  Riegel,  Frank  J.  Schwarz,  Frank  Schmitt,  Sr.,  Aug.  Kolanczik, 
Fred  Henning,  Fred  Bilhorn,  Louis  Knauer,  Fred  J.  Oester,  John  Yost, 
John  Landgraf,  Anton  Kuelgen,  and  Theo.  Etzbach. 

The    present    membership    includes    William    J.    Elsesser,    Alvin 


206 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Kuhrt,  Delbert  Dewhart,  Otto  Sibigtroth,  Carl  Galloway,  Donald 
Schmitt,  John  A.  Goebel,  George  Yost,  Ben  P.  Kratz,  Carlos  Parson, 
Robert  Preston,  T.  L.  Stremlau,  Howard  Foster,  John  W.  Bott,  Robert 
Politsch  and  Dale  Theesfeld. 


OLD  FIREMEN  NEVER  DIE 

Old  Firemen  never  die.  Take  Mike  Elsesser,  fire  chief  for  a 
number  of  years.  Touring  the  west  with  Phil  Weber  and  Billy  Flor- 
schuetz,  he  had  just  fallen  asleep  one  night  in  his  Prescott,  Arizona, 
hotel  room,  when  the  fire  whistle,  similar  in  sound  to  Mendota's,  sud- 
denly shrieked  its  nocturnal  fire  warning. 

Mike  bounced  out  of  bed  and  started  to  tear  into  his  clothes 
before  he  realized  he  was  some  2,000  miles  from  Mendota.  Habit 
was  strong;  a  motor  reaction,  psychologists  call  it. 

And  what  about  old  Fire  Horses? 

When  the  motorized  equipment  was  purchased,  the  fire  team  was 
sold  to  a  farmer  near  here.  Time  passed,  and  it  was  assumed 
that  the  horses  had  adapted  themselves  to  their  new  life. 

Then  one  day  the  housewife  clanged  her  huge  new  dinner  bell. 
With  the  first  stroke,  the  team,  hitched  to  a  wagon,  started  off.  The 
farmer,  luckily  holding  the  reins,  finally  managed  to  stop  the  team  after 
the  fifth  racing  trip  around  his  field. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         207 


s 


"IN  OCHOOL  DAYS" 


"Still  sits  the  school  house  by  the  road, 
A  ragged  beggar,  sunning  ..." 


he  mendota  school  bells  this  year  are  ringing  out  a  century. 
But  like  Ivory  Soap  their  century  is  only  99  plus  percent  pure,  for  the 
first  public  school  was  not  built  until  1854  on  a  plot  just  east  of  the 
present  Graves  Public  Library. 

Mendota's  first  school  was  a  simple  40  x  30  one-story  frame  struc- 
ture. Its  glamor  was  housed  in  one  room,  which  also  served  as  a 
sort  of  union  church.  A  century  has  erased  it  from  its  site  and  from 
the  minds  of  all,  even  our  oldest  residents. 

Near  the  spot  where  its  bell  once  marked  the  hours  of  childhood 
toil,  a  silent  cannon  now  faces  east  —  a  monument  to  the  great  grand- 
children of  those  who  played  and  studied  on  this  spot. 

Still  standing  is  the  building  that  was  Mendota's  second  school, 
erected  east  of  the  tracks,  known  today  as  "the  Old  Lewis  and  Clarke 
hospital,"  although  it  has  been  an  apartment  for  many  years. 

Still  standing  too  at  the  fairgrounds  is  a  little  frame  school  build- 
ing which  was  the  former  country  school  known  as  the  Wixom  school 
which  stood  southeast  of  Mendota.  It  has  been  restored  and,  with 
the  old  Blackstone  bell  in  its  tower,  will  be  preserved  so  that  future 
generations  may  know  what  the  little  one-room  country  school  looked 
like.    Plans   called  for  painting  it  red  and  white  in  the  "little  red 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         209 


schoolhouse"  tradition.  But  public  sentiment  wouldn't  have  it  so.  They 
wanted  it  painted  white,  as  it  had  always  been.   And  so,  white  it  is. 

Previous  to  1860  there  were  three  school  districts  in  Mendota. 
They  were  known  as  north,  south,  and  west  side  districts.  The  schools 
were  so  crowded  that  there  were  four  pupils  to  every  seat,  instead  of 
two  pupils  per  seat,  it  is  said.  A  new  and  more  adequate  building 
was  proposed,  but  the  new  building  was  wanted  located  on  both  sides 
of  the  tracks.  For  this  purpose  there  was  a  consolidation  into  one 
district,  but  by  1866  it  was  seen  that  both  factions  could  not  be  satis- 
fied and  the  single  district  was  divided  into  two,  using  the  Illinois 
Central  tracks  as  the  dividing  line.  Each  district  held  elections.  The 
west  division  elected  E.  P.  Cook,  J.  C.  Corbus,  and  J.  L.  Watkins. 
The  east  division  elected  J.  Edwards,  S.  M.  Thayer,  and  Philo  Castle. 

The  directors  were  concerned  over  this  division,  but  called  a  meet- 
ing to  choose  sites  and  decide  appropriations.  The  east  side  purchased 
block  23  from  T.  B.  Blackstone  at  a  low  price  for  the  purpose  of  erect- 
ing a  $27,000  school  of  three-stories.  It  comprised  a  main  building 
and  rear  extensions  for  recitation.  There  were  seven  school  rooms  and 
three  recitation  rooms  in  the  basement. 

Blackstone  school,  the  west  side  school,  was  another  building  that 
resulted  from  the  split.  It  was  named  after  Mr.  Blackstone,  who  gave 
the  site.  The  school  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $30,000  and  completed 
in  1869. 

A  list  of  schools  recorded  in  the  newspaper  in  1870  indicated 
that  in  addition  to  the  east  side  "Union"  school  there  was  Blackstone 
school  with  W.  F.  Bromfield  as  principal,  but  also  "branch  schools", 
one  on  the  west  side  at  Washington  and  Ninth  avenue;  the  other  on 
the  east  side  near  the  English  Lutheran  church. 

Not  until  1910  was  there  again  a  consolidation  of  these  districts, 
now  known  as  district  289.  Thereupon  an  election  was  called  and  a 
president  and  six  board  members  were  selected,  comprised  of  Otto 
Kieselbach,  president,  with  W.  T.  Holliston,  J.  J.  Thomasson,  Carl 
Proehl,  George  D.  Feik,  Ferdinand  Henning,  and  M.  J.  Elsesser  as 
board  members.   J.  A.  Lamberton  was  named  clerk  of  the  board. 

At  this  time  the  two  high  schools  were  merged  into  one  system, 
with  classes  meeting  in  the  Blackstone  school  on  the  west  side. 


REUNION  OF  BLACKSTONE  PUPILS 

The   dismantling  of  old  Blackstone  school  is  still  fresh  in  our 
community's  mind.    On  a  nostalgic  day  in  June,   1950,  the  alumni 


210 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


of  old  Blackstone  retraced  childhood  steps,  and  exchanged  childhood 
memories  in  the  venerable  old  building.  It  was  open  house,  and  the 
time-worn  classrooms  echoed  with  voices  and  laughter  gone  from 
those  rooms  for  so  many  years. 

The  passage  of  time  had  brought  changes  to  old  Blackstone.  The 
third  floor  was  abandoned  because  the  roof  leaked  and  the  plastering 
was  crumbling  from  the  moisture.  Many,  many  lively  feet  had  worn 
deep  hollows  in  the  stairs.  The  windows  and  doors  were  loose  and 
noisy,  making  the  heating  of  the  great  rooms  a  real  problem.  Repairs 
and  maintenance  became  such  a  burden  that  it  seemed  only  good  busi- 
ness to  plan  a  new  and  modern  edifice  for  the  rapidly  growing  younger 
generation. 

But  until  the  fall  of  1951  that  old  bell  summoned  its  children 
to  gather  within  those  solid  walls;  to  seek  the  coolness  of  its  lofty 
halls  after  a  strenuous  playtime  in  the  September  sun;  or  to  dry  their 
sodden  mittens  on  those  massive  radiators  after  a  lively  bout  with  the 
snow  and  wind  of  January. 

Memories,  yes,  memories  of  Old  Blackstone — there  were  many 
related  that  June  Sunday  in  1950,  during  Blackstone's  Open  House. 
Probably  Mrs.  Zolper  was  the  senior  registrant,  and  her  delight  knew 
no  bounds  as  she  greeted  so  many  of  her  former  pupils.  Mrs.  Zolper 
was  Miss  Maggie  Kane  to  those  early  seekers  after  knowledge  and  the 
years  have  not  dimmed  their  regard  for  her  wise  guidance.  Another 
guest  was  Miss  Lina  Clark,  whose  father,  Warren  Clark,  built  the 
building  in  1869.  Mr.  Clark's  picture  was  there,  pictures  of  early 
graduates,  old  commencement  programs,  some  commendable  report 
cards,  and  even  some  of  the  frilly  dresses.  One  from  1880  was  worn 
by  Miss  Sarah  Peart,  whose  tiny  shoes  were  also  in  excellent  condi- 
tion. A  fan  belonging  to  Miss  Clara  Goodwin  dated  1890  was  ex- 
hibited. 


Many  ex-students  fulfilled  a  life-long  desire  to  pull  the  old  bell 
rope.  Dr.  Edgar  Cook  and  his  brother,  Allan,  sang  their  sweetest  for 
Mrs.  Zolper,  their  teacher.  Later,  Attorney  Allan  Cook  favored  his 
audience  again,  this  time  assisted  by  Mrs.  B.  Harry  Reck.  Their  rendi- 
tion of  "Oh,  Italia,  Italia  Beloved,"  brought  back  memories  of  the  old 
Friday  afternoon  assemblies. 

It  is  impossible  to  mention  all  of  the  friends  of  Blackstone  who 
labored  long  and  hard  to  bring  about  this  reunion.  No  one  felt  ready 
to  go  home  when  the  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  Kenneth 
Sollitt  of  the  Baptist  church.  For  the  last  time  the  old  bell  had  called 
its  children  to  an  afternoon  of  remembrance. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


211 


When  the  community  had  voted  to  build  a  "New  Blackstone",  Mr. 
Scribbens  was  employed  to  draft  the  plans.  The  general  contract  was 
given  to  T.  S.  Willis,  with  sub-contracts  to  Brady  for  plumbing,  heat- 
ing and  ventilation,  and  the  electric  work  to  George  Whitmore,  a 
former  Blackstone  boy.    The  total  cost  of  the  project  was  $234,696. 

The  building  consists  of  six  classrooms  24  x  36  and  a  kinder- 
garten 25  x  43.  One  large  "all  purpose"  room  48  x  64,  serving  as 
the  lunch  room,  the  assembly  room  and  the  gym.  A  well  equipped 
kitchen  joins  this  lunch  room.  In  addition  to  these  rooms  there  are 
also  a  large  office,  the  nurse's  room,  two  supply  and  storage  spaces 
and  wash  rooms.  A  modern  oil  burning  furnace  heats  the  building. 
The  ventilating  system  controls  the  flow  of  fresh  air  into  the  class 
rooms.  Fluorescent  lighting  furnishes  the  required  candlepower  when 
the  natural  light  is  not  sufficient.  The  kindergarten  is  gayly  decorated 
in  bright  colors  and  has  adequate  storage  space  for  equipment.  In 
grades  one  and  two,  green  chalk  boards  and  cork  bulletin  boards 
cover  two  walls,  while  a  third  wall  furnishes  closet  space  for  wraps. 
The  four  other  grades  have  locker  space  in  the  corridors  for  their 
belongings. 

School  in  the  new  building  began  in  September  of  1951.  A  public 
open  house  held  Sunday,  October  28,  gave  the  local  people  an  oppor- 
tunity to  see  the  completed  building. 


Mendota  was  justly  proud  of  "Old  Blackstone",  and  at  its  com- 
pletion, a  detailed  description  of  the  building  and  grounds  was  pub- 
lished in  "The  Mendota  Bulletin"  of  July  29,  1869.  With  the  Masonic- 
conducted  ceremonies  the  community  felt  that  it  had  succeeded  in 
establishing  a  magnificent  edifice  and  had  taken  every  means  to  care 
for  its  young  people,  physically,  mentally  and  morally. 

To  quote,  "The  corner  stone  was  laid  July  4,  1868.  Much  credit  is 
due  the  directors,  Messrs.  J.  L.  Watkins,  P.  Kreis  and  A.  Dean,  for 
the  faithful  manner  in  which  they  have  fulfilled  their  duties.  J.  L. 
Watkins  Esq.  as  President  of  the  Board,  has  attended  to  the  letting 
of  contracts  and  the  construction  of  the  building,  devoting  a  large  por- 
tion of  his  time  to  the  prosecution  of  the  work.  The  people  of  the 
district  are  especially  indebted  to  Mr.  Watkins  for  the  prompt,  faith- 
ful and  economical  manner  in  which  the  work  has  been  executed.  The 
position  of  a  school  director  is  not  a  pleasant  one,  and  when  the  re- 
sponsibilities of  building  a  school  house  are  added  to  his  other  duties, 
the  director  who  sees  the  work  completed  is  entitled  to  all  praise. 

"The  building  is  situated  on  Washington  Street  just  west  of  Thir- 
teenth avenue.    The  ground  (two  acres)  on  which  it  stands  was  given 


212 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


by  T.  B.  Blackstone,  Esq.  of  Chicago.  It  is  three  stories  in  height, 
besides  the  basement,  and  surmounted  by  a  handsome  French  roof. 
Crowning  the  whole  structure  is  a  large  cupola.  The  distance  from 
the  ground  to  the  top  of  the  spire  is  104  feet.  Two  ventilating  towers 
and  chimneys  rise  12  feet  above  the  roof.  The  basement,  12  feet  in 
depth,  houses  four  large  furnaces  connecting  with  pipes  which  carry 
the  heat  to  every  room  in  the  building.  Every  room  has  its  ventilator, 
conducting  off  the  foul  air.  And  each  room  in  the  building  has  chim- 
ney connections  so  that  stoves  can  be  used  if  desired. 

"The  first  and  second  floors  have  eight  school  rooms  which  will 
seat  60  scholars  each.  The  third  story  has  two  such  rooms,  so  the  total 
seating  capacity  is  600,  and,  if  necessary  this  might  be  increased  to 
700.  In  addition  to  these  school  rooms,  on  the  second  floor  is  a 
room  40  x  8  to  be  used  as  a  Library.  The  third  story  contains  a  large 
hall  40  x  60  which  will  seat  at  least  500  people.  The  entrance  to  this 
hall  is  through  two  double  doors. 

"Two  blocks  of  marble  are  placed  in  the  brick  work  fronting  on 
Washington  Street.  On  one  of  these  is  carved  the  word  "Blackstone", 
in  memory  of  that  large-hearted  and  generous  man  who  gave  the 
ground,  and  on  the  other  appears  the  inscription  Public  School  —  1868. 


"There  is  to  be  an  800-pound  bell  placed  in  the  cupola.  The 
water  closets,  of  which  there  are  two,  are  large  and  commodious,  and 
are  constructed  with  a  view  to  insure  perfect  ventilation. 

"We  are  under  obligations  to  J.  L.  Watkins,  Esq.  President  of 
the  Board,  and  to  Messrs.  Clark  and  Worman,  contractor,  for  the  above 
description." 

School  opened  in  the  new  building  with  Professor  W.  F.  Brom- 
field  as  principal  and  as  his  assistant,  Miss  Shurtleff.  Teachers  in 
charge  of  rooms  were  Miss  Lyman,  Miss  Guy,  Miss  Harris,  Miss  Hen- 
derson, Miss  Gould,  Miss  Kennedy  and  a  teacher  of  German,  unnamed. 

The  enrollment  at  Blackstone  had  by  1886  increased  to  about 
475  pupils,  including  a  high  school  department  with  a  three-year  course 
including  Latin  and  German.  The  first  school  terms  were  9y2  to 
10  months.  By  vote  the  public  chose  a  ten-month  term.  In  1891  music 
was  added  to  the  required  course  of  study  and  a  piano  was  rented 
on  approval. 

Because  German  was  being  spoken  less  and  less  in  the  homes,  it 
was  voted  in  1900  to  discontinue  the  instruction  of  German  in  the 
first  and  second  grades.  And  in  1901  the  sum  of  $2,500  was  voted 
to  install  a  sanitary  system  in  the  school. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         213 


THE  OLD  NORTH-END   SCHOOL 

A  building  contract  was  awarded  in  1868  to  Fisher  and  Cook 
for  erection  of  a  school  house  at  Guiles  avenue  and  16th  street.  This 
one-room  school  was  to  accommodate  pupils  in  the  far  north  section 
of  the  city.  The  teachers  were  loyal  but  never  overpaid.  A  school 
board  secretary's  report  in  1902  recorded  as  follows:  "North  school 
teacher  to  receive  $30  per  month,  she  to  do  the  janitor  work." 

The  tornado  of  July  17,  1903,  wrecked  the  building  and  imme- 
diately thereafter  the  school  board  rented  a  room  from  the  Advent 
college  so  that  instruction  could  continue  while  Mr.  Dudgeon  was 
building  a  new  school  building  on  the  old  site. 

As  modern  transportation  made  it  easier  for  the  pupils  to  attend 
Lincoln  or  Blackstone,  the  school  was  abandoned  and  was  leased  by 
the  high  school  at  $175  for  50-years  rental  and  the  building  was  moved 
to  the  north  of  the  present  high  school  to  be  used  for  a  farm  mechanics 
class.  John  Mauch  has  built  a  new  home  at  1600  Guiles  avenue  where 
the  familiar  old  "North  End  School"  was  located  for  so  many  years. 


EAST  SIDE  SCHOOL  IS  BUILT 

When  the  split-up  of  school  districts  came  in  1866  the  new  build- 
ing was  started  but  only  the  first  floor  was  completed  that  year.  Many 
changes  and  additions  were  made  in  the  plans,  and  so  it  was  October 
the  following  year  when  the  new  three-story  brick  building  was  com- 
pleted by  Contractors  Simon  Lee  and  George  Cook.  "An  imposing 
appearance  and  decided  ornament  to  the  city"  recounted  the  local 
newspaper. 

High  school  as  well  as  grade  school  was  conducted  in  this  build- 
ing and  separate  commencements  were  held  each  spring.  When  special 
functions  were  held,  lamps  were  borrowed  from  the  old  Free  Will 
Baptist  church,  electric  lights  being  a  thing  of  the  future. 

In  1910,  when  the  districts  consolidated,  the  name  of  the  school 
was  changed  from  East  Side  school  to  Lincoln  school,  by  official  vote 
of  the  school  board. 

Monday  morning,  April  7,  1930,  was  the  scene  of  history-making 
experience  in  Mendota.  For  the  last  time,  the  pupils  of  the  old  East 
Side  school  assembled.  "This  time,  they  took  all  their  "gear"  and, 
led  by  a  rousing  drummer  and  a  flag-bearer,  they  marched  from  the 
old  building  around  the  south  side  of  the  campus  and  into  the  west 
entrance   of  the  new   Lincoln   building.    Their  teachers  accompanied 


214 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


them  as  they  found  their  various  rooms  and  settled  into  the  old  routine 
in  new  surroundings.  Visitors  for  this  occasion  were  shown  through 
the  new  school  and  all  were  impressed  with  the  fine  arrangement  of 
the  wonderful  building. 

There  are  15  rooms  besides  the  large  auditorium  or  gymnasium 
which  can  seat  more  than  500  people.  As  nearly  as  possible,  the  struc- 
ture is  fire-proof.  The  first  floor  is  occupied  by  the  elementary  grades 
and  the  second  is  devoted  to  departmental  work.  The  south  room 
on  the  first  floor  is  the  kindergarten  with  its  own  private  entrance.  An 
especial  attraction  in  this  sunny  room  is  the  built-in  fish  pond,  a  gift 
of  D.  C.  Tower,  who  was  then  chairman  of  the  board  of  education. 
One  of  the  visitors  on  this  memorable  morning  was  Miss  Alice  Brown, 
a  dearly  loved  teacher  in  the  east  side  system. 

Another  affair  in  connection  with  the  opening  of  the  new  school 
was  the  Kiwanis  club  luncheon  when  the  members  of  the  Board  of 
Education,  Mr.  Lamberton,  the  secretary,  and  Mr.  Scribbens,  the  archi- 
tect, were  guests.  The  club  members  congratulated  them  on  the  fine 
service  they  had  performed  in  providing  the  community  with  this  new 
school  building. 

Immediately  after  the  luncheon  the  entire  group  journeyed  to 
Lincoln  school  where  Supt.  M.  E.  Steele,  also  a  Kiwanian,  showed  them 
the  many  fine  features  of  the  new  building. 

A  short  service  was  held  in  front  of  the  school  for  the  students. 
The  new  American  flag  was  raised  to  the  top  of  the  pole  for  the  first 
time  as  each  observer  repeated  the  pledge  of  allegiance  to  the  flag. 
Following  this  solemn  moment,  the  pupils  quietly  entered  their  school 
again  and  resumed  their  work. 


But  not  until  the  evening  of  May  9,  1930,  was  the  new  school 
officially  dedicated.  At  that  time  Mr.  Steele  had  planned  for  Francis 
G.  Blair,  state  superintendent  of  schools,  to  be  present  to  assist  in  an 
official  dedication  program.  Early  in  the  evening  patrons  and  friends 
of  the  school  began  to  gather  to  inspect  the  various  rooms.  A  crowd 
had  assembled  in  the  auditorium  for  the  evening's  program. 

Seated  on  the  stage  were:  D.  C.  Tower,  chairman  of  the  Board, 
Francis  G.  Blair,  state  superintendent,  of  Springfield;  W.  R.  Foster, 
county  superintendent  of  LaSalle  county,  of  Ottawa;  M.  E.  Steele, 
superintendent  of  Mendota  schools;  J.  A.  Scribbens,  architect,  of 
Glencoe;  George  P.  Nauman  and  the  following  members  of  the  grade 
school  board:  C.  D.  Powell,  S.  C.  Cash,  Edward  Welsch,  Spencer  Moss, 
Rudolph  Schildberg  and  George  Hessenberger.  Mr.  Tower  acted  as 
master  of  ceremonies  and  gave  a  brief  resume  of  the  work  involved. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         215 


State  Supt.  Blair  congratulated  this  community  on  their  progres- 
sive attitude.  He  also  paid  tribute  to  Mr.  Foster  who,  24  years  pre- 
viously was  the  superintendent  of  this  school  system  in  the  old  build- 
ing now  being  replaced  by  the  new. 

Mr.  Foster  added  his  word  of  commendation  to  the  forward 
movement.  He  reminisced  for  a  time,  reminding  his  audience  of  the 
really  fine  quality  of  the  old  East  Side  school  in  its  day,  and  of  the 
pride  the  townspeople  had  felt  when  Blackstone  was  erected.  "These 
old  schools  were  the  best  in  their  time",  he  continued,  "just  as  this 
school,  today,  is  the  best  of  its  kind  in  northern  Illinois." 

The  entire  cost  in  preparing  the  school  for  use  came  to  $132,368. 


SCHOOL  DAYS   REMINISCENCES 

Blackstone's  old  bell  was  hung,  at  no  small  effort,  in  the  belfry 
of  the  country  school  which  houses  exhibits  during  the  fair  each  fall 
at  the  fairgrounds.  The  visitor  possibly  could  take  a  quick  tug  at  the 
old  bell  rope  if  the  urge  becomes  insistent. 

Lincoln's  old  bell  is  another  matter.  Rumor  has  it  that  it  is  pre- 
served in  the  cold  air  shaft  of  the  present  building  waiting  for  "the 
judgment  day  of  all  good  old  bells,"  when  it  may  again  peal  forth 
its  summons  to  eager  listeners. 

The  old  minute  books  of  Mendota  schools  are  in  a  good  state  of 
preservation  and  can  be  perused  with  interest  to  find  who  was  a  board 
member  when,  or  who  was  teacher  when  you  were  in  the  eighth  grade. 

Prof.  Samuel  M.  Heslet  served  two  periods  as  principal  in  the 
Mendota  schools.  He  first  came  here  in  1860  from  Earlville,  where 
he  had  been  principal  for  four  years.  He  first  served  as  principal  of 
the  West  side  school,  and  when  the  schools  were  consolidated  he  was 
appointed  city  school  superintendent.  He  enlisted  and  served  in  the 
Civil  war  in  1862,  but  was  injured  in  battle  and  resumed  his  teaching 
here  in  1863.  When  the  school  districts  were  divided  in  1867  he  re- 
signed. He  returned  in  1880  and  served  as  principal  of  the  East  side 
school  for  several  years.  He  was  described  as  being  "firm  but  digni- 
fied" in  the  school-room. 

Another  early  school  head  was  Prof.  William  Jenkins  who  became 
principal  of  the  East  side  school  from  1867  until  1872.  He  went  to 
Ottawa  where  he  was  city  superintendent  for  two  years,  but  returned 
to  Mendota  in  1875.  He  was  active  in  the  state  teachers'  association 
for  many  years. 


216 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Does  some  one  wonder  about  those  cornerstones  which  the  masons 
fixed  so  securely  back  in  the  1860's?  There  was  no  particular  fanfare 
when  the  stone  was  taken  from  the  old  brick  school  on  the  east  side. 
There  was  nothing  in  its  depth  to  be  opened  and  viewed  by  onlookers. 

This  old  stone  was  re-set  in  the  inside  wall  of  the  large  assembly 
room,  where  its  date  marks  the  passage  of  time  for  Lincoln  groups 
who  gather  for  social  affairs  or  basketball  games.  Within  it  are  1929 
calendars  of  the  various  civic  organizations.  There  are  also  coins 
and  paper  money  both  old  and  new,  and  samples  of  the  work  of 
students  of  the  time. 

The  story  about  the  old  Blackstone  cornerstone  is  different.  The 
massive  block  marking  the  foundation  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
old  building  was  as  firmly  set  on  April  24,  1951,  as  it  had  been  when 
it  was  originally  laid  on  July  4,  1868.  Men  worked  with  mallet  and 
chisel  to  loosen  it,  while  onlookers  watched  with  baited  interest  to  see 
what  would  be  disclosed.  At  long  last  Supt.  M.  E.  Steele,  Principal 
Ernest  Dunn,  and  Board  President  Wesley  Yenerich  succeeded  in  mov- 
ing it  from  its  niche. 

And  in  its  secret  depths  was  .  .  .  nothing!  No  newspaper,  no 
list  of  names  and  dates;  not  even  a  hole  in  the  rock.  Chips  were  sal- 
vaged by  the  spectators,  who  disappointedly  turned  their  faces  home- 
ward. 

But  the  new  Blackstone  will  not  be  a  total  blank  if  its  friends 
wish  to  open  it  in  the  year  Two  Thousand  and  Something.  It  contains 
a  graduation  program  from  the  first  class  to  graduate  from  Black- 
stone high  school  in  1879,  as  well  as  copies  of  The  Mendota  Reporter 
telling  of  the  beginnings  of  the  new  school  in  1950  and  the  1951  cere- 
mony. There  are  pictures  of  the  classes  in  session  at  this  time  and 
programs  of  the  reunion  —  plus  a  picture  of  Mrs.  Maggie  Kane  Zolper 
who  had  been  a  pupil  in  the  old  school  and  later  a  teacher  there. 

After  due  ceremonies  the  copper  box  was  set  in  the  new  stone 
block  with  the  date  1950  engraved  upon  it,  and  sealed  by  the  masons 
in  the  wall  of  the  main  corridor  near  the  south  entrance. 

Many,  many  teachers  have  had  a  part  in  the  building  of  character 
in  Mendota  youth  through  the  years.  A  complete  list  would  be  im- 
possible. Some  of  the  names  that  come  to  mind  are  W.  R.  Foster, 
Professor  and  Mrs.  Wallace,  Miss  Eva  Clark,  Miss  Myra  Howes,  Miss 
Eva  Rice,  Miss  Alice  Brown,  Miss  Rose  Weidner,  Miss  Katherine 
McDonald,  Mrs.  Maggie  Kane  Zolper,  Miss  Caroline  Barth,  Miss  Mabel 
Brown,  Miss  Gladys  Lamberton,  Miss  Bertha  Bauer,  Miss  Florence 
Andrews.  Among  those  still  in  service  are  M.  E.  Steele,  superintendent, 
Miss  Minnie  Vogler,  Miss  Lila  Powell,  and  Miss  Lucille  Fritz,  who 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP        217 


was  hired  as  the  first  kindergarten  teacher  and  who  spent  a  half-day 
at  Lincoln  and  a  half-day  at  Blackstone  beginning  in  1930  and  who 
now  conducts  kindergarten  in  the  new  Blackstone  building. 

Faithful  interest  and  service  was  given  to  the  Lincoln  school  by 
George  Hessenberger  who  was  custodian  of  Lincoln  for  many  years, 
and  secretary  of  the  grade  school  board. 


For  many  years  eighth  grade  commencement  exercises  were  held 
in  the  local  theatre  because  of  the  lack  of  an  adequate  size  audito- 
rium in  either  of  the  grade  school  buildings.  The  first  and  only  mid- 
year graduation  of  eighth  grades  was  in  February,  1916. 

In  1880  the  Blackstone  commencement  was  held  in  the  Baptist 
church  with  music  furnished  by  the  cornet  band.  The  editor  wrote 
deploring  the  expenditure  for  gowns.  He  wrote  that  this  was  all  right 
for  students  of  seminaries  who  were  rich  people's  children,  but  undemo- 
cratic for  public  school  pupils  where  the  poorest  as  well  as  the  richest 
may  complete  their  course  and  receive  a  diploma.  He  thought  the 
expenditure  for  dress  might  be  a  deterrent  to  some  in  going  through 
the  full  course. 

Brief  excerpts  from  Mendota  newspapers  of  early  days  record 
interesting  bits  of  history  on  Mendota  schools: 

January,  1864:  "Monthly  report  of  Mendota  Grammar  School  for 
January: 

Number  of  pupils  76 

Average  attendance  69 

Average  absence  6 

Tardiness  3,481  minutes 

Days  of  aggregate  absence  133 

"The  teacher  would  respectfully  call  attention  of  parents  to  the 
items  of  tardiness  and  irregular  attendance." 

This  was  followed  by  a  lengthy  discourse  on  the  virtues  of  said 
habits  in  character  building,  etc.,  and  signed  "Teacher." 

February  25,  1870:  Reports  from  all  classes  in  all  schools.  W.  F. 
Bromfield  is  principal  of  Blackstone  School  and  R.  W.  McDowell  of 
East  Mendota  public  school.  North  school  is  taught  by  A.  A.  Mclntyre, 
and  South  school  by  A.  Strasburger. 

June  4,  1870:  C.  Bidenmiller,  German  Teacher,  has  opened  a 
summer  school  in  the  Lutheran  German  Church.    50  pupils. 

June  8,  1871:  Miss  M.  N.  McKeen  will  open  a  Select  School  at 
the  old  West  Side  School  House  for  the  instruction  of  boys  and  girls 
in  the  common  English  branches.    Eight  weeks,  $2;  four  weeks,  $1. 

218         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


August  29,  1872:  West  Side — A.  J.  Sawyer,  Supt.,  Miss  Green, 
Lyman,  Guy,  Clark  and  Branch.  East  Side — J.  R.  McGregor,  Supt., 
Miss  Purdy,  Howes,  Stevens,  Mclntire.  North  School  —  Mr.  Wm. 
Beardsley.    South  School  —  Mr.  P.  Cook. 

June  9,  1876:  First  graduation  from  city  schools,  East  Side.  Class: 
Fannie  Foster,  Adaline  Freund,  Lottie  Hicks,  Ella  Johnson,  Emma 
Hawkins,  Nellie  Crooker    (absent),  and  Alice  Brown,  valedictorian. 

October  21,  1876:  2,025  children  under  21  in  Mendota,  according 
to  last  count.    East,  1,075,  and  West,  950. 

February  15,  1878:  Assault  and  battery:  Alice  Brown,  teacher  in 
east  side  school  tried  before  Squire  Arnold  for  punishing  Dobbie  boy. 
All  the  legal  talent  of  the  city  were  engaged — Messrs.  J.  C.  Crooker 
and  W.  Evans  for  the  prosecution,  and  L.  B.  Crooker  for  the  defense. 
Case  was  continued  and  on  the  following  day  Miss  Brown  entered 
plea  of  guilty.    Her  fine  was  $10  and  costs. 

William  "Jeff"  Quantrell,  of  Quantrell's  Raiders,  famous  Con- 
federate guerrillas,  once  taught  school  in  Mendota  prior  to  the  Civil  war. 

PAROCHIAL  SCHOOL  ESTABLISHED 

Father  M.  Haefy  served  as  pastor  of  St.  Mary's  church  from 
September,  1876  until  April,  1888.  During  his  pastorate  St.  Mary's 
school  was  built  on  the  lot  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  Second 
street,  one  block  north  of  the  church.  This  school  was  conducted  by 
the  Sisters  of  Mercy  of  Ottawa. 

Father  James  T.  Heaney  was  pastor  from  September,  1897  until 
his  death  on  April  14,  1917.  During  this  time  St.  Mary's  school  was 
abandoned  because  of  lack  of  pupils  and  funds.  The  building  was 
later  demolished. 

The  first  Holy  Cross  parochial  school  was  established  in  the  late 
1850's  in  a  building  located  at  what  is  now  1002  North  Main  street.  It 
was  taught  by  a  schoolmaster  —  strict  and  somewhat  harsh  —  as  was 
the  custom  of  that  day.  This  was  the  school  site  until  1864,  when  the 
building  was  moved  to  the  rear  of  the  Holy  Cross  church  which  was 
dedicated  that  year.  The  Sisters  of  St.  Francis  of  Joliet,  Illinois,  were 
placed  in  charge. 

About  1870  or  1871  the  building  was  moved  to  1004  Jefferson 
street,  the  site  of  the  present  school.  The  old  frame  building  is  still 
in  use  as  a  residence  on  a  lot  located  at  the  north  end  of  Wisconsin 
avenue.  Sometime  between  May,  1900,  and  October,  1911,  Father  H. 
Tholen's  pastorate,  The  Sisters  of  St.  Francis,  of  Milwaukee,  assumed 
the  teaching  duties. 

Father  E.  Jacobs  was  the  pastor;  in  1913  the  present  school  build- 

MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP         219 


ing  was  built.  At  that  time  living  quarters  for  the  Sisters  were  pro- 
vided in  the  school  building.  When  the  new  school  was  opened  in 
September,  1914,  the  Dominican  Sisters  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  as- 
sumed the  teaching  responsibilities.  This  same  teaching  order  is  in 
charge  today.  There  were  two  classrooms  for  the  eight  grades.  By 
September,  1916,  it  was  necessary  to  have  an  additional  classroom; 
so  the  school  hall  was  used  for  that  purpose. 

In  May,  1931,  Holy  Cross  and  St.  Mary's  parishes  were  amalga- 
mated with  Father  Leo  J.  Wissing  as  pastor.  The  Holy  Cross  rectory 
became  the  residence  of  the  Sisters.  This  made  possible  larger  class- 
rooms, a  larger  chapel  and  a  library  room.  Later  there  were  extensive 
alterations  and  improvements  to  meet  the  requirements  of  space  and 
light  and  safety  for  the  children. 

In  1936-1937  the  enrollment  was  112.  The  remodeling  done  in 
the  years  immediately  following  provided  a  music  room  and  a  more 
spacious  library,  in  addition  to  the  four  large  classrooms  on  two 
floors.  As  the  enrollment  increased  it  became  necessary  to  use  the 
music  room  as  a  classroom.  This  was  used  by  the  first  grade  beginning 
in  1946.  The  music  department  was  transferred  to  the  library.  That 
year  the  enrollment  was  178. 

Plans  to  enlarge  the  school  were  carried  out  in  1950  and  1951. 
Four  classrooms  were  added  to  bring  the  total  number  of  classrooms 
to  eight,  seven  of  which  are  being  used.  In  October,  1950,  the  Sisters 
occupied  a  new  Convent,  formerly  the  Frederick  property,  on  Jefferson 
and  Pennsylvania.  In  the  school  year  of  1951-1952  242  pupils  were 
enrolled  in  eight  grades  taught  by  six  Sisters. 

In  September,  1952,  seven  teaching  Sisters  took  charge.  They  are: 

Sr.  M.  Ruth,  O.P.  Superior— 8th  grade 

Sr.  M.  Zita,  O.P.— 6th  and  7th  grades 

Sr.  M.  Hildagarde,  O.P.— 5th  grade 

Sr.  M.  Rene,  O.P.— 4th  grade 

Sr.  M.  Victorine,  O.P.— 3rd  grade 

Sr.  M.  Laurenti — 2nd  grade 

Sr.  M.  Germaine — 1st  grade 

Music  teachers:  Sr.  M.  Victorine  and  Sr.  M.  Rene. 

The  present  enrollment  is  235. 


COLLEGE   OPENED  IN   1857 

In  the  spring  of  1856  some  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Mendota 
who  desired  to  have  an  educational  institution  here  made  liberal  offers 


220         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


of  land  and  money  towards  the  erection  of  college  buildings.  This 
subject  was  brought  before  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  North- 
ern Illinois.  The  synod  accepted  and  in  1857  the  trustees  met  and 
made  plans  for  the  erection  of  a  building.  The  Mendota  Female  Col- 
lege, as  it  was  called,  was  opened  in  May,  1857,  using  the  Lutheran 
church  until  the  new  building  was  completed.  The  Lutheran  church 
is  now  known  as  the  Advent  Christian  church  on  Illinois  avenue  and 
has  been  remodeled  many  times. 

The  new  college  was  built  on  the  outskirts  of  the  prairie  town 
on  the  site  where  Mendota  high  school  now  stands.  It  was  an  im- 
posing structure  for  its  day  and  had  three  stories  and  a  basement.  The 
upper  stories  were  used  as  dormitories  and  the  first  floor  was  used  for 
school  purposes.  Each  floor  had  four  large  rooms  and  a  hall  through 
the  center.  Each  room  was  heated  by  a  stove,  since  there  was  no  cen- 
tral heating  plant.  The  beautiful  five-acre  campus  was  covered  with 
trees  and  a  few  cinder  paths. 

The  ground  was  donated  by  P.  Rust,  and  various  Mendota  citizens 
subscribed  funds  totalling  about  $5,000.  During  the  first  year,  77 
pupils  were  connected  with  the  institution. 

The  moving  force  behind  the  college  was  the  Rev.  David  Har- 
baugh.  He  had  migrated  west  from  Pennsylvania,  schooled  at  Witten- 
berg, Ohio,  where  he  was  ordained  in  1851.  He  served  churches  in 
various  communities  until  coming  to  Mendota,  where  he  served  as 
head  of  the  college  for  13  years.  He  retired  after  1890  to  Colorado 
Springs.  He  married  Margaret  Augustine.  They  had  twelve  children, 
eight  of  whom  were  born  in  Mendota.  Harbaugh's  addition  is  doubtless 
named  after  this  pioneer  educator. 


The  school  had  to  depend  on  boarding  pupils,  and  a  monetary 
crash  in  the  late  1850's  affected  the  funds  which  kept  it  going,  so  that 
within  a  few  years  its  enrollment  was  down  to  a  dozen  students  and 
a  teaching  staff  of  only  two  teachers. 

Their  struggles  continued,  and  when  Rev.  W.  H.  Wynn  was 
elected  president  in  1865  the  name  had  become  Mendota  College, 
with  the  word  "female"  dropped.  It  was  decided  to  open  admission 
to  male  pupils. 

A  catalog  of  Mendota  College  issued  in  1869  shows  Dr.  J.  M. 
Dodge  as  president,  although  Rev.  Harbaugh  remained  as  treasurer. 
Rev.  J.  B.  Corbett  was  principal  and  the  faculty  consisted  of  nine. 
There  were  nine  seniors,  all  females,  and  64  students  in  the  "ladies' 
department"  and  89  in  the  "gentlemen's  department"  —  a  total  en- 
rollment of  162. 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP  221 


The  catalog  felt  called  upon  to  explain  its  co-educational  nature 
by  saying:  "it  is  evident  that  the  mixed  school  furnishes  the  natural 
and  therefore  the  most  successful  method  of  training  the  young." 

The  building,  said  the  catalog,  was  located  on  a  beautiful  emi- 
nence which  commands  a  fine  prospect  of  the  surrounding  country, 
with  full  view  of  the  different  trains  of  railroad  cars  as  they  approach 
from  four  different  directions. 

The  former  Henderson  Seminary  or  "Wesleyan  Seminary"  on 
Thirteenth  avenue  in  Mendota  had  also  come  into  possession  of  this 
college  by  gift  of  the  citizens  of  Mendota  in  1868.  Both  buildings  were 
included  in  the  catalog  listing.  The  Rev.  R.  C.  Colmery,  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  one  of  the  early  leaders  in  the  Seminary,  was 
listed  as  one  of  the  citizens  committee  who  had  raised  the  funds  to 
donate  the   combined  properties  to  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod. 

By  1870  the  school  was  discontinued  when  endowments  were  with- 
drawn. The  school  stood  vacant  until  1873  when  it  was  purchased  by 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  Iowa. 


FOR  SALE:  ONE  COLLEGE  BUILDING 

It  was  not  easy  property  to  dispose  of,  as  colleges  often  were 
going  begging  for  lack  of  support.  Crooker  and  Hunter,  Mendota  real 
estate  agents,  advertised  a  rare  bargain  —  the  Mendota  College  with 
27  rooms  and  five  acres  of  ground  planted  in  trees,  plus  Mr.  Har- 
baugh's  "fine  residence"  near  the  school. 

The  Iowa  Synod  of  the  church  had  found  its  Wartburg  Seminary 
near  Dubuque  inadequate  and  they  sought  larger  quarters.  Pastors 
Ade  of  Mendota  and  Schieferdecker  of  Clarion  brought  the  vacant 
Mendota  school  to  the  synod's  attention.  The  investigating  committee 
reported  that  the  masonry  of  the  four-story  school  was  sound,  but  that 
it  needed  a  new  roof  and  flooring.  The  total  cost  not  including  re- 
pairs and  improvements  was  $2,500.  An  educational  fund  was  ac- 
quired, but  since  it  could  not  be  transferred  immediately  a  residence 
a  block  south  of  the  college  was  accepted  instead  and  this  became  the 
home  of  Wartburg  College,  formerly  of  Galena,  Illinois.  This  house, 
now  the  home  of  Mrs.  Hattie  M.  Spears,  at  1600  Lincoln  avenue, 
housed  Wartburg  College  until  it  moved  in  1885  to  Waverly,  Iowa. 

The  college  building  was  operated  as  the  Wartburg  Seminary 
until  1889  when  the  institution  was  moved  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  the 
present  location  of  Wartburg  Seminary. 

The  vacant  college  building  was  revived  as  an  educational  insti- 


222         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


tution  in  1893  when  a  group  of  70  people,  many  of  them  prominent 
citizens  of  Mendota,  contributed  funds  to  purchase  and  refit  the 
building  for  educational,  publication,  and  camp  meeting  purposes  for 
the  Advent  Christian  church. 

The  college  set  up  a  theological  school,  as  well  as  a  musical 
department  and  a  four-year  preparatory  course  equivalent  to  high 
school,  plus  a  commercial  course.  Many  Mendota  young  people  at- 
tended the  school,  and  improvements  were  made  to  grounds  and  build- 
ing. It  is  said  that  the  concrete  sidewalks  then  laid  still  serve  the 
grounds  today. 

As  the  school  grew  the  building  became  inadequate  and  in  1911 
it  was  decided  to  move  the  college  from  Mendota  to  Aurora.  B.  J. 
Dean  was  president  of  the  Advent  College  from  1906  until  1911. 

The  building  and  grounds  were  then  purchased  by  private  citizens 
with  the  idea  of  converting  the  building  into  a  hospital,  but  this  proj- 
ect never  materialized.  Later  the  grounds  became  the  site  of  the  Men- 
dota high  school. 


THE  OLD  SEMINARY 

The  Rev.  James  S.  Henderson  became  the  first  permanent  pastor 
of  the  Mendota  Presbyterian  church  in  1855,  and  he  recognized  the 
responsibility  of  the  church  along  educational  lines.  To  this  end  he 
planned  for  a  college  in  Mendota  in  connection  with  the  church. 

He  went  to  T.  B.  Blackstone  with  the  idea  of  establishing  a  sem- 
inary. Mr.  Blackstone  agreed  and  provided  a  site  of  seven  acres  on 
Thirteenth  avenue  and  a  building  was  begun. 

The  building  was  three  stories  high  with  a  basement.  For  this 
building  Rev.  Henderson  supplied  the  funds  largely  from  his  own  and 
his  wife's  private  means,  some  $15,000  being  expended  on  the  build- 
ing. When  nearly  ready  for  the  roof  to  be  built,  a  wind  storm  dam- 
aged the  structure  and  much  of  it  had  to  be  rebuilt.  This  entailed  a 
debt  of  $4,000  on  the  property. 

The  new  seminary  was  opened  in  the  fall  of  1857  with  an  enroll- 
ment of  200  students,  many  of  whom  came  from  a  considerable  dis- 
tance. E.  R.  Paddock  was  chosen  as  principal  and  in  addition  there 
were  nine  other  teachers.  Rev.  Henderson  retained  control  as  president 
and  proprietor  while  continuing  as  pastor  of  the  local  Presbyterian 
church. 

Early  maps   show   that  the   Seminary  grounds  covered  two  full 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         223 


blocks  in  those  days,  extending  from  Washington  street  to  Fifth  street. 

Mr.  Henderson  died  in  1861  and  his  death  proved  a  sad  blow  to 
the  school. 

For  a  time  Mr.  Henderson's  successor  at  the  Presbyterian  church, 
Rev.  R.  C.  Colmery,  acted  as  president  of  the  school. 

Known  as  Henderson  Collegiate  Institute,  three  teachers  com- 
prised the  staff  in  its  final  years.  Accommodations  for  30  boarders 
were  offered.  M.  W.  Tewksbury  was  listed  as  professor  of  Latin, 
Greek,  and  Mathematics.  Board  ran  from  $2  to  $2.50  per  week. 
Tuition  was  only  $4  for  a  term  of  eleven  weeks  in  the  English  branches, 
while  piano  music  tuition  was  $10.  The  school  advertised  that  "due 
attention  will  be  given  to  the  health,  habits,  manners  and  morals  of 
the     pupils." 

Rev.  Colmery  operated  it  as  Mendota  Collegiate  Institute  until 
sometime  after  1864,  apparently  having  acquired  the  property  at  pub- 
lic auction. 

By  1868  it  was  known  as  Mendota  Wesleyan  Seminary,  with 
kitchen  and  dining  room  in  basement,  chapel  and  recitation  rooms  in 
the  upper  floors.  Enrollment  was  listed  as  60  students. 

In  the  spring  of  1869  the  seminary  was  acquired  by  Mendota 
College  which  operated  it  as  a  part  of  its  program. 

The  next  year,  however,  it  came  into  the  hands  of  Dr.  Hoffman 
who  proposed  to  establish  a  homeopathic  infirmary  and  medical  col- 
lege, but  he  apparently  thought  better  of  the  plan  and  operated  it  as 
a  hotel  for  a  number  of  years,  known  as  Hoffman  House. 

The  building  was  purchased  by  Prescott  Brothers  several  years 
ago  and  is  now  utilized  as  apartments.  It  is  truly  one  of  Mendota's 
landmarks. 


EARLY  HIGH  SCHOOL  CLASSES 

When  both  east  side  and  west  side  schools  were  in  operation,  two 
high  schools  were  maintained.  The  East  High  graduated  its  first  class 
in  1876,  about  three  years  before  the  first  Blackstone  High  graduating 
class.  There  were  seven  girls  in  the  first  East  High  graduating  class. 
Because  of  the  high  standards  it  took  boys  too  long  to  go  through 
school.  The  editor  explained  they  were  20  years  old  before  finishing, 
and  they  had  to  quit  to  work  to  help  support  the  family. 

J.  R.  McGregor  was  superintendent  of  East  High  at  the  time  of 
the  first  commencement.    The  two  successive  school  heads  were  S.  M. 


224 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Heslet  and  G.  W.  Andrews.  High  school  was  a  three-year  course  until 
W.  R.  Foster,  formerly  of  Troy  Grove,  became  superintendent.  He 
placed  East  High  on  a  four-year  plan.  His  tenure  began  in  1892  and 
lasted  14  years,  when  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools. 
Successive  school  heads  were  G.  B.  Coffman  and  J.  H.  Light. 

The  first  high  school  commencement  of  Blackstone  High  on  the 
west  side  was  held  in  1879  with  William  Jenkins  as  superintendent. 
He  was  followed  by  S.  E.  Beede  in  1893,  by  Henry  H.  Robinson  in 
1898,  by  George  C.  Griswold  in  1899,  by  C.  W.  Parkinson  in  1903,  and 
by  E.  H.  Murray  in  1908.  After  various  fluctuations  in  the  course  of 
study,  a  four-year  plan  was  established  in  1898. 

In  1910  the  two  school  districts  were  consolidated,  a  significant 
event.  High  school  was  then  held  in  the  Blackstone  building  and  the 
first  combined  commencement  was  held  in  1910  with  State  Supt.  Blair 
as  orator.  The  exercises  were  held  in  the  Germania  Opera  House  on 
Washington  street  on  the  site  where  the  Purity  Ice  Cream  plant  now 
stands. 

The  newly  elected  school  board  appointed  E.  H.  Murray  as  super- 
intendent. Miss  Myra  Howes,  who  had  served  successfully  for  15 
years  as  principal  of  the  west  side  school,  was  named  principal  of  the 
consolidated  schools. 


HIGH  SCHOOL  BUILT  ON  COLLEGE  SITE 

The  need  for  a  separate  township  high  school  in  its  own  building 
had  been  discussed  for  many  years.  A  township  high  school  district 
was  formed  in  1915  and  ownership  of  the  former  college  site  acquired 
as  a  location  for  the  enlarged  high  school.  Various  locations  were  pre- 
viously considered.  Neither  the  east  side  nor  west  side  residents  could 
agree  on  a  location  until  the  old  Mendota  College  site  was  proposed, 
which  met  with  approval  of  the  citizens  and  plans  were  made  for  the 
erection  of  the  new  school.  B.  J.  Dean  was  high  school  principal  at 
the  time. 

The  new  school  was  completed  in  1917  and  opened  for  occupancy. 
The  first  class  to  be  graduated  from  the  new  building  was  in  June, 
1918.  The  building  cost  $115,000  and  contained  an  assembly  hall, 
ten  classrooms,  and  an  office,  plus  gymnasium  which  also  served  as 
auditorium.  The  cafeteria  occupied  the  south  part  of  what  is  now  the 
auditorium  and  the  actual  cooking  done  under  the  present  balcony. 

An  addition  was  put  on  the  west  side  of  the  school  in  1929,  great 
pains  being  taken  to  match  the  brick  of  the  old  with  the  new.    The 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


225 


new  addition  housed  a  new  cafeteria  as  well  as  ag  room,  art  room, 
commercial,  and  additional  classrooms.     The  addition  cost  $40,000. 

George  P.  Nauman,  president  of  the  school  board,  announced 
proudly  that  funds  from  tuition  money  had  been  laid  aside  to  finance 
the  new  addition  without  recourse  to  bond  issue  or  increase  in  tax 
levy. 

By  1931  it  was  seen  that  the  old  athletic  field  at  the  north  of  the 
school  was  not  adequate.  Games  were  held  Saturday  afternoons  and 
onlookers  crowded  along  the  sidelines,  no  seats  being  provided.  Prop- 
erty south  of  the  school  was  purchased  and  a  splendid  new  athletic 
field  constructed.  The  project  cost  $15,000.  The  lights  were  added 
several  years  later  as  a  special  project.  Attendance  increased  markedly. 
Bleachers  were  added  from  time  to  time,  and  in  1953  a  fund  is  being 
accumulated  for  the  construction  of  permanent  bleachers  or  stadium. 

The  new  field  boasted  a  220-yard  straightaway  track,  one  of  the 
few  such  existing  among  Illinois  high  schools.  Due  to  the  interest 
and  generosity  of  Bernie  Katzwinkel,  the  grounds  were  beautifully 
landscaped.  Three  tennis  courts  and  a  hockey  field  were  completed  in 
1935,  and  in  1950  several  acres  were  purchased  southeast  of  the  field 
for  additional  parking  facilities. 

In  1953  additional  property  was  acquired  east  of  the  high  school 
for  an  additional  practice  field.  The  old  football  field  is  also  used  for 
practice. 

In  1939  a  large  addition  was  built  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
the  high  school  building.  This  cost  $120,000  and  provided  a  large, 
modern  gymnasium,  locker  and  shower  rooms,  and  a  band  room.  The 
old  gym  was  converted  into  a  modern  auditorium,  which  is  used  for 
school  and  public  programs  and  plays.  A  library  was  built  at  the 
east  side  of  the  study  hall,  which  was  modernized  in  1952  into  an 
outstanding  school  library. 


The  school  is  almost  constantly  undergoing  improvement  and 
modernization.  The  cafeteria  and  home  economics  kitchens  are  among 
the  projects  recently  completed.  A  large  amount  of  shop  tools  and 
visual  education  equipment  has  been  added. 

As  Mendota  enters  its  Centennial  year,  plans  are  being  drawn  for 
an  addition  to  the  school  which  would  provide  modern  school  shops 
and  a  farm  shop,  as  well  as  additional  classrooms  to  take  care  of 
growing  enrollment  and  the  need  for  vocational  training  of  the  high- 
est order. 

The  school  year  1952-1953  saw  the  first  attendance  by  eighth 
graders  in  regular  classes  in  the  high  school  building.    This  course 


226 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


was  taken  to  accommodate  the  growing  enrollment  in  the  grade  schools 
where  facilities  were  not  adequate  to  properly  care  for  them. 

Graduating  classes  have  for  many  years  given  gifts  to  the  school. 
These  have  included  the  master  electric  clock,  war  plaque,  library  card 
catalog,  trophy  case,  stage  podium,  recordings  for  literary  and  history 
classes,  and  many  others.  For  many  years  each  freshman  class  de- 
signed and  hung  a  felt  class  pennant  in  the  old  gym,  a  custom  now 
discarded. 

Not  all  the  improvements  have  been  in  equipment.  The  curric- 
ulum has  been  constantly  expanded,  as  well  as  extracurricular  activ- 
ities. In  1948  the  loudspeaker  and  broadcasting  equipment  which  was 
acquired  provided  valuable  training  in  microphone  work. 

In  1927  Supt.  R.  E.  Beebe  instituted  a  new  type  of  examinations, 
the  objective  or  true  and  false  questions. 


STEELE  INTRODUCES  INNOVATIONS 

An  appraisal  sheet  is  recorded  for  each  student  in  the  school, 
with  each  faculty  member  contributing  basic  information  on  the  stu- 
dent's industry,  leadership,  originality,  reliability,  initiative,  co-opera- 
tion, class  attitude,  personal  appearance,  accuracy,  courtesy,  stability, 
loyalty  and  honesty,  as  well  as  special  abilities.  At  the  close  of  each 
student's  course,  a  composite  record  is  made  up  which  serves  as  a  case 
history  for  reference  by  colleges  or  prospective  employers.  The  first 
type  of  appraisal  sheet  was  introduced  by  Supt.  Steele  in  1935,  and  a 
newer  type  adopted  by  the  faculty  in  1951. 

The  school  colors  formerly  were  purple  and  white.  These  were 
changed  in  1926  to  purple  and  orange  in  order  to  avoid  confusion 
with  two  other  schools  on  Mendota's  athletic  schedules  which  had  the 
same  colors. 

Beginning  in  1941  the  athletic  teams  were  named  the  "Trojans," 
a  winning  suggestion  by  Beverly  Winters  of  the  class  of  '45. 

Mendota's  band,  debate,  speech,  and  dramatic  students  have  re- 
peatedly won  high  honors  in  district  and  state  competition.  Likewise 
athletic  teams  have  piled  up  their  share  of  honors  on  the  track,  football 
field,  and  basketball  court.  Don  Whitmore  holds  the  state  javelin 
record.     This  will  never  be  beaten  as  the  sport  has  been  withdrawn. 

The  high  school  band  under  the  direction  of  Stanley  Fisher  won 
a  rare  distinction  in  1940  when  it  was  invited  to  play  three  concerts  at 
the  New  York  World's  Fair.    Band  and  townspeople  raised  the  funds 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         227 


to  send  them  on  the  trip.  Forty-nine  members  and  ten  chaperones 
made  the  journey. 

The  extension  of  territory  served  by  the  school  and  the  closing 
of  rural  schools  has  built  the  need  for  a  growing  fleet  of  school  buses. 
Delmar  Kaiser  in  1940  drove  the  first  bus,  which  was  a  converted  milk 
truck.  The  school  bought  its  first  school-owned  bus  in  1941  and  since 
that  time  has  added  other  buses  until  a  fleet  of  six  buses  are  now 
operated  under  the  management  of  Roy  Davis. 

In  the  year  1911  the  first  high  school  annual  was  published, 
containing  accounts  of  school  activities  and  pictures  of  organizations 
and  graduating  seniors.  The  annual  was  given  the  name  Atodnem. 
Elmer  Feik,  of  the  class  of  1911,  contributed  the  name,  which  is  Men- 
dota  spelled  backwards.  No  Atodnem  was  issued  in  1917  or  1918, 
the  year  of  World  War  I,  and  the  annual  was  suspended  in  1932  due 
to  depression  conditions. 

Another  school  publication,  the  Hi-Light,  a  weekly  newspaper  of 
school  activities  edited  by  the  journalism  students,  began  in  November, 
1926.  It  was  launched  by  the  editor  of  The  Sun-Bulletin,  and  included 
also  in  the  pages  of  The  Reporter.  The  name  was  chosen  as  the  re- 
sult of  a  contest  held  among  students.  William  Wenninger  was  the 
first  editor,  and  John  Samuels,  journalism  teacher,  was  faculty  adviser. 
The  paper  still  continues,  27  years  later,  with  the  same  name  as  origi- 
nally chosen. 

Driver  training  was  added  in  1948  in  order  to  teach  students 
the  art  of  driving  and  safety. 

A  Diversified  Occupations  course  was  added  in  1947,  the  first 
school  in  the  state  to  adopt  this  type  of  on-the-job  training.  Students 
spend  a  half  day  in  school  under  the  instruction  of  Joe  Rollins,  and  a 
half  a  day  on  the  job  learning  their  craft.  Special  commencement 
exercises  are  held  each  spring. 

The  course  was  so  successful  that  in  1949  it  was  expanded  to  in- 
clude building  trades.  Junior  and  senior  boys  are  eligible,  and  they 
are  now  constructing  their  third  home-building  project.  Upon  comple- 
tion the  home  economics  classes  plan  the  decoration  schemes,  and  open 
houses  are  held  for  the  public.  Each  house  is  sold  at  auction  to  pro- 
vide funds  to  continue  the  training. 


The  original  organization  of  Mendota  high  school  prior  to  1915 
contemplated  the  inclusion  of  all  of  Mendota  township  and  parts  of 
Meriden,  Troy  Grove  and  Clarion.  The  issue  was  defeated  at  election, 
but  was  finally  approved  in  1915  with  a  vote  of  904  for  and  only  220 
against.    It  was  officially  established  as  a  school  district  on  October 


228         MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


28,  1915,  by  County  Supt.  of  Schools  W.  R.  Foster,  a  former  east  side 
school  principal.  The  original  territory  included  all  of  Mendota  town- 
ship and  80  acres  of  land  in  Troy  Grove  township  south  of  the  city. 


The  first  board  of  education  in  1915  included  George  D.  Tower, 
president;  William  Phalen,  George  P.  Nauman,  Martin  Fahler,  John 
J.  Buck,  Bernard  Katzwinkel,  and  B.  Harry  Reck. 

The  school  gradually  has  acquired  additional  territory.  The  first 
annexation  was  in  1941  when  a  little  over  14  sections  of  land  were 
annexed  from  Clarion  township.  In  1946  a  part  of  Sublette  township 
was  added,  and  then  another  section  from  Clarion  in  1951.  Ten  sec- 
tions of  land  from  Brooklyn  township  came  in  the  same  year,  followed 
by  14  sections  from  Meriden  in  1952.  In  the  winter  of  1953  practi- 
cally all  of  Ophir  township  joined.  Additional  Lee  county  territory 
and  parts  of  Troy  Grove  and  Waltham  are  expected  to  annex  before 
Centennial  time. 

There  have  been  a  succession  of  school  board  members  who  work 
diligently  and  study  their  school  problems  by  attending  district  and 
state  school  board  association  meetings.  For  a  number  of  years  George 
Nauman  acted  as  board  president.  In  recent  years  this  responsibility 
has  been  capably  filled  by  Harold  F.  Dean,  who  has  also  served  as  a 
vice-president  in  the  state  association. 

Supt.  M.  E.  Steele  in  his  26  years  service  has  introduced  modern 
methods  of  teaching  in  the  school  system,  and  for  several  years  he  was 
president  of  the  state  school  administrators  association,  as  well  as  serv- 
ing on  the  North  Central  association  board. 

In  1953  a  precedent  was  set  by  employing  a  business  manager 
to  perform  duties  of  purchasing,  maintenance,  etc.  Roy  Doll,  who 
headed  the  commercial  department,  was  chosen  as  the  first  to  hold 
this  post. 

B.  Harry  Reck  is  the  only  remaining  member  of  the  original 
1915  board.  He  has  served  the  board  as  secretary  through  38  years 
and  no  man  in  the  state,  probably,  is  more  conversant  with  school 
matters  than  Judge  Reck. 

The  members  of  the  1953  high  school  board,  in  addition  to  Mr. 
Dean  and  Mr.  Reck,  are  James  Dubbs,  Dutton  Gove,  Lawrence  Wat- 
son, Sam  Beetz,  Jr.,  and  George  Koerper.  The  rural  districts  have  for 
many  years  been  represented  on  the  board. 


Through    the   years   there   have   been   hundreds   of   graduates   of 
the  high  schools  of  Mendota.    The  first  alumni  association  was  that 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         229 


representing  the  East  Mendota  high  school,  formed  in  1878.  For  a 
number  of  years  annual  reunions  were  held.  There  was  also  a  Black- 
stone  high  school  alumni  group,  but  all  records  have  been  lost. 

After  the  consolidation  of  the  schools  in  1910  both  groups  of 
alumni  were  formed  into  a  Mendota  High  School  Alumni  association. 
Meetings  were  first  held  in  Eckert's  Hall  and  later  in  the  new  high 
school  building.  A  50-year  jubilee  reunion  was  held  June  11,  1926, 
invitations  having  been  sent  to  nearly  900  former  graduates  and  300 
attended.  It  was  a  memorable  occasion  and  each  class  gave  its  remi- 
niscences. 

To  the  group  Supt.  R.  E.  Beebe  presented  plans  for  a  Myra  Howes 
memorial  —  a  suitable  award  each  year  for  the  student  who  had  been 
of  most  benefit  to  the  school  and  community  during  the  year.  The 
requirements  were  to  include  character,  scholarship,  student  influence, 
etc.  An  enlarged  picture  of  Miss  Howes  was  placed,  with  a  proper 
inscription,  in  the  school  assembly  room.  Nearly  $400  was  raised  and 
placed  out  at  interest  to  finance  the  annual  award,  known  as  the  Myra 
Howes  Key. 

William  Wenninger  of  the  class  of  1927  had  the  honor  of  having 
been  the  first  recipient  of  the  key.  The  complete  list  of  winners  over 
the  years  has  been  as  follows: 

1927  William  Wenninger  1941  Christ  Troupis 

1928  Lloyd  Richert  1942  Ruth  Van  Etten 

1929  Salvatore  Randazzo  1943  Kenneth  Truckenbrod 

1930  Jessica  Huss  1944  Francis  Matychowiak 

1931  William  Swisher  1945  Wayne  Ashley 

1932  August  Engelbrecht  1946  Ruth  Engelbrecht 

1933  Marie  Elsesser  1947  Roger  Butler 

1934  Marion  Blair  1948  LaMarr  Brewbaker 

1935  Faith  Cavell  1949  Robert  Holler 

1936  John  Eichorn  1950  Marvin  Ehlers 

1937  Carl  Hoffman  1951  Marilee  Emerick 

1938  Mary  Louise  Walzer  1952  Delores  Preston 

1939  Clarence  Harjes  1953  Bill  Gehler 

1940  Lorraine  Grosshans 


For  many  years  the  winner  of  the  key  was  chosen  by  faculty  vote. 
In  recent  years  the  faculty  selects  three  candidates  and  the  winner  is 
selected  by  vote  of  the  juniors  and  seniors. 

In  1929  an  annual  $25  scholarship  award  for  the  highest  average 
grades  was  set  up  by  the  alumni  group,  and  Ruth  Beetz  was  the  first 
selectee.  This  continued  until  1940  when  it  was  abandoned  due  to 
the  new  grading  system. 

Former  Supt.  R.  E.  Beebe,  now  of  Naperville,  returned  in  1947 


230         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


to  be  the  principal  speaker  at  the  alumni  banquet.    He  recalled  his 
service  at  Mendota  during  1922  to  1927. 

For  many  years  Mrs.  Amelia  Walters  of  the  class  of  1889  at- 
tended each  alumni  meeting  and  was  called  upon  to  speak.  This  be- 
came a  tradition  as  long  as  she  lived. 

The  alumni  gathering  each  year  begins  with  a  banquet  and  a 
program,   followed  by   dancing  and  visiting. 

*       *       * 

Old-timers  can  truly  say  that  things  today  are  different  than  when 
they  went  to  school.  The  "pampered"  youngsters  of  this  generation 
ride  to  school  on  a  bus,  study  in  light-conditioned,  winter  aircondi- 
tioned  rooms.  They  have  movies  as  parts  of  their  texts.  They  get  ice 
cream  bars  for  good  grades.  They  learn  square  dancing  and  music 
and  sports.  Most  old-timers  figure  that  these  youngsters  really  have  it 
soft. 

But  most  old-timers  also  admit  that,  oddly  enough,  these  kids  are 
smarter  than  they  were  when  they  attended  their  classes  in  the  1800's 
or  even  a  generation  ago. 

But  for  those  of  us  who  attended  schools  of  earlier  days,  or  per- 
haps a  country  school  —  for  all  its  "hardships"  —  the  little  red  school- 
house  is  an  inseparable  part  of  a  beautiful,  long  gone  childhood. 

But  many  years  ago  John  Greenleaf  Whittier  in  his  poignant 
poem,  "In  School  Days",  put  to  words  the  memory  that  is  enshrined 
in  every  mind  of  his  or  her  school  days  —  whenever  or  wherever 
spent : 

"Still  sits  the  schoolhouse  by  the  road, 
A  ragged  beggar  sunning, 
Around  it  still  the  sumach  grows, 
And  blackberry  vines  are  running." 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         231 


One  of  the  best-known  carriage  shops  in  Mendota  in  1886  was  the  Peter  Sunday 
shop  joined  by  Walter  Boettcher's  blacksmith  and  harness  shop.  The  buildings 
were  located  approximately  on  the  site  of  the  present  food  lockers.  Note  the 
second-story  activity. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  C.  Tower  and  Josephine  (now  Mrs.  Josephine  T.  Coss)  standing 
proudly  beside  their  snappy  1915  Winton  Six,  with  brass  lamps  polished  and 
gleaming. 


^     a 


This  is  E.  S.  Browne,  twice  mayor 
of  Mendota  and  without  doubt 
the  most  colorful  mayor  in  the 
city's  long  history.  His  big 
straw  hat,  flopping  in  the  breeze, 
and  his  beard  and  unostentatious 
dress  made  him  a  bright  figure 
in  his  pursuit  of  a  better  Men- 
dota. He  is  famous  for  his  big 
Democratic  rally  and  barbecue 
which  drew  visitors  from  great 
distances.  It  is  said  to  have 
been  the  biggest  crowd  ever  as- 
sembled in  Mendota.  He  served 
a  term  beginning  in  1897,  and 
again  in  1901.  He  was  a  gradu- 
ate   of   Harvard    College. 


Below  —  The  former  Sam  Fern- 
berg  dry  goods  store,  located  at 
Main  and  Washington  in  the 
building  now  housing  Goslin's 
drug  store.  For  many  years  the 
Denison  drug  store  also  occupied 
this  building. 


234 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Bringing  up  the  rear  of  the  parade  when  the  famous  Ringling  Brothers  circus 
showed  here  on  July  18,  1917.  The  steam  calliope  was  drawn  past  the  old  Clinite 
Wallpaper  store  (now  site  of  postoffice)  and  camels  were  used  to  draw  this 
glittering  red  and  gold  wagon.  Note  early  cars  parked  along  curb,  and  lack  of 
spectators. 


Hurry!  Hurry!  Hurry!  The  famous  circus  call  echoed  up  and  down  Wash- 
ington street  in  1917  as  Ringling  Brothers  circus  parade  featured  its  herd  of  per- 
forming elephants. 


■  ■:,:. 


"*Affi- 


WJi 


*»1* 


Phil  Weber's  palatial  saloon  in  the  early  years  of  the  century.  The  photo 
proves  that  swinging  doors,  beveled  plate  glass,  polished  mahogany  bars,  tiled 
floors,  and  gleaming  spittoons  were  not  entirely  legend.  Phil's  saloon  was  located 
in  building  now  occupied  by  Austin's  Chatterbox  tavern. 

Carriages  lined  up  at  the  Mendota  fairgrounds  in  the  early  years  for  the  annual 
harness  races.  Note  crowd  and  vehicles  lining  the  infield.  Just  a  few  automobiles 
appear,  indicating  a  year  about  1910.     Note  absence  of  carnival  midway. 


Typical  Cartoon  by  Mendota's  Own  Helen  E.  Hokinson 
Appeared  in  New  Yorker  Magazine  March  19,  1949 

L. !  '-:*■■••. 


"":  "3' "' 


Fu 


Reproduced  by  permission 

Copr.   1949  The  New  Yorker  Magazine,  Inc 


"Wouldn't  you  think  they'd  have  a  place  for  withdrawals,  too?' 


Horseless  carriages?  A  number  of  Mendota  ladies  owned  and  drove  quiet, 
luxurious  electrics,  among  them  this  1916  wire-wheel  model  driven  by  Mrs.  D.  C. 
Tower.     It  is  shown   in  front  of  their  beautiful   13th  avenue  home. 


II 


..:-    A£    ■■?■''- 


In  1909  Ninth  avenue  was  the  scene  of  a  big  patriotic  parade.  Here  we  see 
the  G.  A.  R.  veterans  (Grand  Army  of  the  Republic),  the  civil  war  veterans, 
marching.  In  the  background  are  the  present  homes  of  Lloyd  Cotton  and  George 
Truckenbrod. 


Wreck  on  Burlington  railroad  near  downtown  crossing,  believed  to  have  been 
about  1917.  A  derailed  train  plowed  into  other  cars  on  adjoining  track.  Smashed 
cars  and  spilled  freight  littered  a  wide  area. 


S\X°X  v 


i, 


Carl  Yost  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  this  old  1906  Rambler,  even  though  it  had 
solid  rubber  tires  and  carbide  lights.  It  was  only  two-cylinder,  but  had  beautiful 
tufted  leather  seats  and  right  hand  drive.  Taken  in  front  of  home  at  1009  Monroe 
street.     Note  rounded  radiator  and  hood. 


A  freak  of  the  devastating  tornado  which  ripped  through  the  area  north  of 
Mendota  early  in  December,  1951,  was  this  scene  at  the  George  Hal  both  farm  along 
highway  51.  The  violent  winds  lifted  up  the  garage  and  scattered  it  in  a  nearby 
field.  Yet  oddly,  the  Halboth  automobile  shown  here  which  was  standing  in  the 
garage  received  only  a  small  scratch  and  a  bent  aerial.  A  number  of  buildings 
and  roofs  in  the  area  were  left  a  shambles  by  a  twister. 


A    K-'mZ 


u 


...■..•   ■  M 


K|j8l 


The  Mendota  Regulars  baseball  team  was  a  standout  aggregation  in  and  around 
1907.  As  they  are  lined  up  here  we  see:  top  row,  left  to  right,  Frank  Munson, 
Max  John,  Ted  Williams,  Barney  Coss,  Claude  Carter.  Middle  row,  left  to  right, 
Bill  Cromein,  Phil  Weber.  Front  row,  left  to  right,  Ed  Cromein,  Tim  Howlett, 
Fred  Marks. 


^ 


Unusual  tombstone  in  Restland  Cemetery, 
erected  over  the  grave  of  the  Rev.  Nathan 
Denison,  first  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church.  It 
shows  a  closed  Bible  on  a  pulpit,  with  a  closed 
Psalter  on  top  of  the  Bible,  marking  reverently 
the  "close  of  the  service." 


"TAKI   ME  OU     TO  THE 

ALL  GAME" 


B 


M 


endota,  with  all  its  accomplishments,  has  never  been 
musclebound.  Sports  of  all  kinds  have  kindled  intense  interest  over 
the  years.  Each  sport  has  had  its  day  of  greatest  activity,  languished, 
and  sometimes  reborn  in  new  interest  with  the  changing  times. 

As  Mendota  grew,  sports  grew  .  .  .  from  the  first  ball  games  by 
husky  farm  boys  when  the  town  had  only  a  general  store  —  down  to 
the  winning  of  the  conference  football  trophy  in  1953  by  the  high  school 
Trojans  football  team. 

One  of  the  earliest  organized  athletic  activities  was  centered  about 
the  Germania  Turnverein  society  in  1875.  They  had  the  basement 
of  the  Opera  House  completely  equipped  by  1884  with  gymnastic 
apparatus.  They  had  also  elected  officers,  including  a  cashier.  Not 
the  least  of  their  accomplishments  was  their  own  brass  band  consisting 
of  twelve  members. 

The  Turnverein  society  was  started  with  the  following  members: 
Jacob  Kohl,  Jacob  Reul,  Joe  Weidner,  John  Hartan,  Henry  Koropp, 
J.  Rodener,  Max  A.  F.  Haass,  Casper  Ruedy,  and  Otto  Kieselbach. 
The  club  was  considered  quite  "exclusive."  In  time  the  club  dis- 
integrated and  languished. 

But  in  1913  a  Mendota  Athletic  club  was  organized  for  the  pur- 
pose of  having  a  gymnasium  for  young  men  to  spend  their  evenings 
in  wholesome  recreation,  such  as  basketball,  hand  ball,  boxing,  wres- 
tling, fencing.      Their  gym  was  located  on  the  third  floor  of  what  is  now 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


241 


the  Hotel  Faber.  Its  officers  included  B.  Harry  Reck  as  president. 
There  were  three  vice-presidents,  including  Harry  Schaller,  A.  J.  Hunter, 
and  A.  W.  Haag.  D.  C.  Haskell  was  treasurer  and  John  Mara  secre- 
tary. 

The  next  club  was  organized  by  a  group  of  enthusiastic  grade 
school  boys  about  1925,  known  as  the  Maroon  Athletic  club.  They 
participated  in  football,  basketball,  and  baseball.  Many  of  them  became 
outstanding  athletes  in  high  school,  and  the  group  included  Wilbur 
Murra  as  group  leader,  and  members  Jim  Dubbs,  Bud  Boyle,  Betz 
Frederick,  Rich  Phalen,  Harvey  "Snick"  Jacob,  Earl  Anschicks,  Bill 
Truman,  John  Sauer,  Willard  Pfeiffer,  Wesley  Wright,  Fritz  Wieden- 
hoefer,  and  Harold  Goebel. 

OUTDOOR  CLUBS 

over  the  years  there  have  been  active  sportsmen's  clubs,  and 
one  such  instigated  the  improvement  of  the  railroad  pond  into 
modern  Lake  Mendota,  during  the  depression  years,  with  the  aid  of 
WPA  grants  and  a  lot  of  hard  labor. 

There  was  an  active  Izaak  Walton  league  here  in  the  mid-twenties, 
and  on  one  memorable  occasion  they  had  as  their  speaker  the  Rev. 
Preston  Bradley,  of  Chicago,  who  gave  a  talk  in  a  meeting  in  the  Elks 
basement  dining  room  ...  a  talk  that  never  will  be  forgotten  as  he 
traced  his  childhood  days  with  hook  and  line  in  unpolluted  streams 
of  the  state. 

The  Central  Illinois  Rifle  and  Gun  club  was  organized  here  as  early 
as  1891.  It  was  started  with  100  members,  each  of  whom  held  a 
$25  share  in  the  club,  used  to  maintain  a  rifle  range  and  clubhouse. 
Many  shooting  tournaments  were  held.  The  commissioners  of  this 
club  included  Matthew  Wilson,  John  Goedtner,  William  Stare,  W.  H. 
Irwin,  Fred  Henning,  Anton  Kuelgen,  and  Phillip  Weber. 

In  1876  a  reward  notice  was  posted  by  L.  B.  Crooker,  president 
of  the  Mendota  Field  Sporting  association,  offering  $5  reward  for 
conviction  of  anyone  shooting  prairie  chicken  before  August  15. 
Game  laws  were  enforced  on  a  local  basis  in  those  days. 

There  are  numerous  coon  and  rod  clubs  around  Mendota  at  the 
present  time.  Pigeon  shoots  and  clay  pigeon  shoots  have  been  popular 
over  the  years.      Once  Al  Foulk  shot  168  straight  at  a  meet  at  Scarboro. 

There  was  an  Interurban  Trap  Shooters  association  in  1913,  and 
at  a  meet  at  Split  Rock  east  of  La  Salle  three  from  Mendota  participated. 
Al  Foulk  tied  for  third  with  141  out  of  150;  C.  C.  Fisher  broke  115  out 
of  125;  and  C.  E.  Shaft  broke  111  out  of  150. 


242 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


George  D.  Smith  was  an  ardent  outdoorsman,  and  was  instru- 
mental in  putting  on  trap  shoots  with  the  Izaak  Walton  league  about 
1925,  near  Kakusha  park. 

Mendota  has  an  ardent  Rifle  team  today,  a  member  of  the  Starved 
Rock  Rifle  club.       Howard  Horn  regularly  racks  up  high  scores. 

The  Outdoor  Recreation  was  organized  about  1931  and  was  active 
for  about  12  years.  The  purpose  of  the  organization  was  to  improve 
hunting  and  fishing  in  this  community  and  to  provide  entertainment  and 
recreation  for  outdoor  sportsmen.  This  organization  purchased  the 
Railroad  Pond  (now  Lake  Mendota)  from  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  railroad  and 
turned  it  over  to  the  City  of  Mendota  in  1935.  Dr.  Edgar  Cook  and 
B.  Harry  Reck  made  several  trips  to  Chicago  to  complete  the  transaction 
with  the  Burlington.  The  railroad  officials  consented  to  make  the  deal 
with  the  understanding  that  it  must  be  left  for  the  free  use  for  the 
public  and  character-building  organizations  —  such  as  Boy  Scouts  and 
Campfire  Girls. 


RELEASE  PHEASANTS 

The  Mendota  Coon,  Rod  and  Gun  club  is  an  organization  about  10 
years  old  serving  the  community  as  an  organization  to  improve  hunting 
and  fishing  facilities  in  the  community.  The  club  was  incorporated  not 
for  profit  Corporation  in  1948.  It  has  about  400  members  and  sponsors 
a  field  trial,  fish  fry,  and  Sauerkraut  party  yearly  for  its  members  and 
friends.  The  club  raises  about  300  pheasant  chicks  each  year  and 
receives  half-grown  chicks  from  the  county  and  state.  In  1952  the  club 
released  about  750  pheasants. 

The  following  members  are  serving  as  officers  and  directors  for 
1953:  president,  Guy  Prescott;  vice-president,  Delmar  Kaiser;  secre- 
tary, Marvin  Schlesinger;  treasurer,  Adolph  Rave;  directors,  Willard 
Deaner,  Milton  Dewey,  D.  H.  Mosher,  Kenneth  Saueressig,  Emil 
Schlesinger,  Raymond  Sondgeroth,  Norman  Willard. 

Horseshoe  pitching  has  always  been  a  favorite  sport,  although 
usually  on  an  informal  basis.  There  was  a  notable  tournament  in  1922 
near  the  B.  J.  Feik  residence  in  the  north  end,  when  Clarion  engaged  a 
Mendota  team.  Like  lawn  croquet  and  tennis,  few  of  the  matches  have 
ever  made  the  public  prints  and  so  are  lost  in  pleasant  anonymity. 

Roller  skating  has  ever  challenged  human  activity,  and  never  so 
much  as  in  the  1880's  and  1890's,  when  there  was  an  organized  roller 
skating  club  in  town.  Pool's  hall  was  leased  and  the  rink  open  after- 
noon and  evening.    Membership  in  the  club,  however,  was  limited  to  25. 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


243 


BASEBALL  OF  THE  PAST 

as  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  popular  of  American  sports, 
baseball  has  had  a  long  and  colorful  history  in  Mendota,  going  back 
almost  90  years.  Although  the  exact  date  when  the  first  baseball  game 
was  played  in  this  community  is  not  known,  records  show  that  several 
baseball  clubs  were  organized  here  shortly  after  the  end  of  the  Civil 
War.  It  is  entirely  probable,  however,  that  amateur  baseball  was 
played  in  Mendota  even  before  that  time. 

Most  of  the  baseball  games  in  the  early  days  were  played  on  the 
grounds  between  the  I.  C.  and  C.  B.  &  Q.  railroad  tracks  which  were 
known  as  the  "Y".  There  was  room  enough  for  three  baseball  dia- 
monds in  this  area  and  for  many  years  it  afforded  a  fine  recreation 
place  for  the  people  of  Mendota. 

Early  records  of  published  scores  indicate  that  the  first  baseball 
players  had  some  difficulty  in  mastering  the  fine  art  of  pitching  and 
fielding,  because  the  scores  were  quite  phenomenal  in  comparison  with 
those  of  today.  Scores  of  64  to  55,  and  62  to  46,  were  not  unusual, 
and  games  often  lasted  as  long  as  four  hours.  Following  are  reports 
of  a  few  early  games: 

August  8,  1867  —  Prairie  Base  Ball  Club  of  Mendota  now  formed. 
G.  N.  Jones  and  L.  B.  Crocker  make  best  runs,  fall  down  flattest,  and 
spread  out  widest. 

July  29,  1869  —  There  will  be  an  effort  to  have  a  baseball  tourna- 
ment at  same  time  as  Horse  Fair.  Mendota  Base  Ball  Club  to  play 
Arlington  tomorrow  afternoon.  James  Durning,  Capt.  of  First  Nine; 
C.  H.  Crawford,  Capt.  of  Second  Nine.  Club  plays  every  afternoon  at 
3  p.  m.  on  grounds  between  I.  C.  and  C.  B.  &  Q.  tracks. 

August  12,  1869  —  Arlington  Club  beats  Mendota  64-55.  Have 
been  playing  two  years  and  Mendota  two  weeks.  Game  lasted  from  2 
to  6  p.m. 

August  26,  1869  —  Formation  of  two  baseball  clubs  for  boys  under 
15  years  of  age.  Red  Breeches  —  Louis  Bunker;  Capt.  Hodge  Club  — 
Harvey  Hodge,  Capt.     At  game  Friday,  Red  Breeches  won  62-46. 

September  1,  1870  —  Match  game  of  baseball  between  Prairie 
State  and  German  Red  Belts  will  be  played  Friday  afternoon  at  half 
past  2  o'clock. 

This  was  pretty  much  the  pattern  for  baseball  around  Mendota 
until  the  1880's  when  the  game  started  to  improve  and  scores  became 
much  lower. 

In  1885,  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook's  "Rough  and  Readies"  won  every  game 
they  played  that  season,  and  this  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  exciting 


244 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


years  in  local  baseball  history.  The  line-up  of  the  team  was  as  follows : 
Bert  Merrifield,  catcher;  Albert  Fischer,  pitcher;  Howard  Dean,  1st 
base;  C.  P.  Gardner,  2nd  base;  Harry  Wilcox,  3rd  base;  E.  P.  Cook, 
shortstop;  Harry  Shipley,  left  field;  John  Berry,  center  field;  Dan  C. 
Tower,  right  field;  and  Jesse  Crooker,  utility. 

Ross  Hayes  was  one  of  the  first  curve  ball  pitchers  in  and  around 
Mendota  in  this  era,  and  John  Madden  and  Fred  Bailey  were  also  very 
active  in  baseball  at  this  time. 

Remember  the  Cardinals  of  1890-91?  The  boys  with  the  red  uni- 
forms? They  had  a  mighty  good  team  then.  Cigarmaker  "Patsy"  Hart 
had  a  cigar  called  the  "Cardinal"  and  the  picture  of  this  team  was  on 
the  inside  cover  of  the  cigar  box. 

The  members  of  this  team  were:  Frank  "Banty"  Moore,  catcher; 
Max  John,  pitcher  and  outfielder;  Paul  Cooper,  pitcher  and  1st  base; 
Ed  T.  Madden,  1st  base ;  Fred  Haskell,  2nd  base ;  Fred  Smith,  3rd  base ; 
Dow  Schick,  shortstop;  and  John  Berry,  Harry  Shipley  and  "Pompy" 
Allen,  outfielders. 

In  1894-95,  George  Huff  of  the  University  of  Illinois  played  with 
Mendota. 

In  1896,  Mendota  fielded  another  strong  team  with  a  line-up  that 
looked  like  this:  Art  "Squire"  Wells,  catcher;  Zeek,  pitcher;  Paul 
Cooper,  1st  base;  Fred  Haskell,  2nd  base;  Bill  Black,  3rd  base;  Howard 
"Shorty"  Haskell,  shortstop;  outfielders,  Housen,  Van  Buren  and 
Warner. 

This  team  was  really  outstanding.  They  played  four  Western 
League  teams  that  year,  beating  Peoria,  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  and  losing  a  tough  2-1  game  to  Dubuque,  Iowa.  "Shorty" 
Haskell  and  Paul  Cooper  were  both  members  of  the  University  of  Illi- 
nois team. 


BILL  BLACK  HITS  A  HOMER 

The  Fourth  of  July  game  that  year  was  typical.  They  played 
Sycamore  at  Hinckley.  Going  into  the  last  of  the  ninth  frame,  the 
score  was  11-9  favor  of  Sycamore.  "Shorty"  Haskell  singled,  Fred 
Haskell  doubled,  and  Mendota  scored  one  on  fielder's  choice.  Then 
Bill  Black  hit  a  home  run  to  win  the  game. 

On  May  17,  1901,  the  Mendota  baseball  club  was  reorganized  with 
the  following  members:  Art  Rice,  Jim  Wheeler,  Geo.  Ansteth,  W.  H. 
Wilson,  Fred  Haskell,  Jr.,  W.  H.  Whitmore,  R.  W.  Witte,  Max  John, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


245 


Phil  Weber,   Chas.   Ferguson   and  Hugh  Griffith.     No  record  of  the 
games  played  that  year,  however,  is  available. 

In  1908,  Mendota  had  nine  baseball  clubs.  They  were:  the 
Regulars,  Cubs,  White  Sox,  East  Side  Tigers,  West  Side  Regulars, 
Mendota  Stars,  South  End  Regulars,  Mendota  Cardinals  and  Mendota 
Unions. 


THE  MENDOTA  CUBS 

The  roster  of  the  Mendota  Cubs  in  1908  included  these  players: 
Fred  Katzwinkel,  catcher;  Dick  Simpson,  pitcher;  Ben  Zolper,  1st  base; 
Frank  Schmitz,  2nd  base;  Betz  Frederick,  3rd  base;  Roy  Mclnturf, 
shortstop;  Albert  Schmitz,  left  field;  Carl  Yost,  center  field;  Ed 
Koerper,  right  field;  Dan  Pohl,  sub;  Ben  Zolper,  manager;  and  Roy 
Mclnturf,  captain.  That  year  the  Cubs  challenged  the  Mendota  Regu- 
lars to  a  series  of  two  out  of  three  games,  but  the  outcome  is  not  re- 
corded. 

On  September  14,  1908,  the  Mendota  Regulars  beat  Earlville  in  a 
special  match  game  13-4.  Batteries  were:  Marks  and  Magerkurth  for 
Mendota;  Wall  and  Sharlow  for  Earlville.  This  game  was  played  for 
a  $100  purse  and  it  is  reported  that  many  $100  side  bets  were  made. 
Something  like  $1,500  to  $3,000  changed  hands  that  day.  Mendota 
had  quite  a  scoring  spree  in  this  game,  with  Blake  making  a  home  run, 
Carter,  a  triple  and  a  double,  Marks,  a  double,  Munson  a  double,  and 
Waldorf  and  Whitmore  scoring  singles. 

The  following  year,  Mendota  beat  Henry  8-5,  with  Munson  scoring 
two  home  runs  and  a  three-base  hit.  The  team  lost  to  the  K.  C.  Giants, 
however,  by  a  score  of  2-1.  Shaeffer  pitched  five  innings,  allowing 
five  hits,  and  Coss  pitched  four  innings,  with  six  strikeouts  and  one  hit. 

In  1910,  Coss  played  with  the  LaSalle  Eagles,  and  the  Mendota 
Regulars  disbanded.    Poor  attendance  was  the  cause. 

From  this  period  on,  the  history  of  Mendota  baseball  is  rather 
sketchy.    Here  are  a  few  excerpts  from  the  local  records: 

April  17,  1913  —  Allen  high  school,  LaMoille  vs.  Mendota  high 
school,  Blackstone  Field.    Mendota  won  8-6. 

April  17,  1913  —  Waldorf  signs  with  Troy,  N.  Y. 

May  1,  1913  —  United  Commercial  Travelers  played  picked  nine 
at  Fair  Grounds.  Travelers  won,  32-23.  R.  Witte,  H.  F.  Epperson, 
Lester  Morrison  pitched  for  the  Travelers.    Herman  Thomassen  caught. 

May  15,  1913  —  Bernie  Coss  shuts  out  Spalding  of  Chicago,  3-0. 
Fred  Marks  pitches  Bloomington  to  no-hitter  over  Dubuque.     Peoria 


246 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


beats  Springfield  4-1,  Pendergast  of  Arlington,  winner.  Peru  Stars 
beat  Kewanee  Regulars  8-1,  Troy  Munson  and  Harry  Reiber  with  Peru. 

From  the  Bloomington  Bulletin,  May  22,  1913: 

"It  was  Mendota  versus  Mendota  yesterday.  Marks  and  Mike 
Pendergast  got  their  starts  with  the  Mendota  Regulars  several  years 
ago  and  were  picked  up  in  the  green  pastures  by  Wm.  Merna.  Marks 
hails  from  Troy  Grove,  a  little  burg  with  an  elevator  and  a  country 
store,  while  Mike  claims  his  native  burg  is  Arlington,  also  a  suburb  of 
Mendota." 

On  October  13,  1920,  Pittsburgh  played  Mendota  in  a  special  game 
sponsored  by  the  Elks  Club.  Over  1500  fans  turned  out  for  this  event. 
Pittsburgh  won  7-1.  Line-up  for  Mendota:  Peden,  left  field;  Jack, 
2nd  base;  Achinger,  shortstop;  Haley,  catcher;  Miller,  center  field; 
Baxter,  1st  base;  Ternetti,  right  field;  Williams,  3rd  base;  Coss, 
pitcher. 

July  19,  1921  —  Home  Brews  beat  Mendota  Cubs  24-8. 

July  23,  1922  —  Bleachers  filled  with  500  fans  collapse  at  baseball 
game.  Mrs.  Geo.  Lutz  knocked  unconscious  and  Henry  Pohl  suffers 
sprained  ankle.    Peru  8,  Mendota  7. 

October  13,  1922  —  Detroit  beats  Mendota  Regulars  8-5.  Line-up 
for  Mendota:  Peden,  left  field;  Achinger,  shortstop;  Miller,  center 
field;  Beck,  right  field;  Brundage,  3rd  base;  Gerrow,  2nd  base;  Jack- 
son, 1st  base;  Haley,  catcher;  Zellers,  pitcher. 

In  1933,  Kakusha  Parks  were  champions  of  the  Illinois  state 
league. 

Baseball  in  Mendota  was  formerly  held  on  a  diamond  in  the  "Y" 
between  the  Illinois  Central  and  Burlington  tracks.  In  1907  the  game 
moved  to  the  fairgrounds.  Then  in  1925  activities  were  transferred  to 
a  diamond  at  Kakusha  park,  until  baseball  languished. 


INTEREST  RECENTLY  REVIVED 

There  was  a  re-birth  of  interest  in  baseball  in  1947  when  the  local 
American  Legion  post  sponsored  a  team  for  about  four  years  in  the 
Illinois  Valley  junior  league.  Russell  Brecht  was  manager.  One  year 
they  won  the  league  championship  and  went  into  the  finals  at  Dayton, 
Ohio.  Here  they  were  defeated,  8  to  1,  by  the  team  from  San  Mateo, 
California.  Interest  lagged  when  so  many  boys  went  into  the  service, 
and  the  league  was  abandoned. 

Interest  was  revived  in  a  lively  manner  in  1952  when  the  Junior 
Chamber  of  Commerce  sponsored  a  Little  League  for  boys  between  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         247 


ages  of  9  to  12.  The  league  is  organized  along  big  league  lines.  Players 
may  be  traded  or  purchased,  and  there  is  a  minor  league  from  which 
players  may  be  drawn. 

The  year  of  our  Centennial,  1953,  has  seen  the  establishment  of  a 
Pony  League,  for  boys  aged  13  to  15,  and  there  are  lively  games  played 
on  a  regular  schedule. 


MAGERKURTH  PLAYED  HERE 

One  of  the  most  colorful  major  league  baseball  umpires  of  all  time, 
George  Magerkurth,  at  one  time  played  baseball  with  a  Mendota  team. 
In  1909  "Red"  McMahon,  manager  of  the  Mendota  Regulars,  secured 
the  services  of  the  young  Magerkurth  of  Kewanee  to  be  catcher  for  the 
team.  "Mage"  was  a  good  ballplayer  and  a  real  "pepper-box"  behind 
the  plate.     He  became  very  popular  with  the  fans  of  the  area. 

He  played  with  Mendota  in  1909  and  1910,  and  then  moved  to 
Moline  where  he  began  umpiring  in  a  factory  league.  In  the  early  20's 
he  was  umpiring  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  league,  and  then  moved  on 
to  the  Southern  association,  from  there  to  the  International  league,  and 
in  1928  was  employed  by  the  national  league,  where  from  1928  to  his 
retirement  in  1947  he  became  one  of  the  most  popular  and  colorful 
umpires  that  baseball  has  known.  He  worked  in  four  world  series 
games  and  four  all-star  games. 


MENDOTA'S  BEST  —  BERNIE  COSS 

Undoubtedly  the  best  and  most  popular  ball  player  ever  to  come 
out  of  Mendota  was  "Bernie"  Coss.  Bernie,  a  little  left  hander  who 
lived  four  miles  south  of  Mendota,  pitched  his  first  game  at  Dimmick, 
when  he  was  13  years  old.  His  father  promised  him  50c  if  he  would 
win  his  first  game,  but  he  was  the  losing  pitcher  that  day.  As  the  Coss 
family  headed  north  in  the  old  buggy  they  were  sad  indeed!  But  this 
was  no  indication  of  what  was  to  follow. 

Bernie  pitched  for  the  East  Mendota  high  school,  and  in  sandlot 
games  during  the  summer  around  Mendota,  Troy  Grove  and  Dimmick. 
Daily,  when  he  could  find  time,  he  would  be  out  in  the  yard  pitching 
to  brother  Frank,  or  in  the  orchard  throwing  green  apples  at  the  birds. 
He  had  a  good  fast  ball,  and  developed  a  great  "spitter".  The  tip  off 
of  his  pitching  ability  came  on  August  17,  1909,  when  the  Mendota 


248 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Regulars  were  playing  the  powerful  Kansas  City  Giants  at  the  Fair 
Grounds.  Shaefer  was  on  the  mound  for  Mendota,  and  when  the 
visitors  scored  two  runs  in  five  innings,  Manager  McMahon  called  in 
young  Bernie  Coss  from  the  center  field,  where  he  was  playing  that  day. 
When  the  lean  left  hander,  a  mere  boy  of  18,  went  to  the  mound,  the 
fans  of  this  area  saw  a  pitching  exhibition  that  the  "old  timers"  still 
talk  about.  Bernie  showed  those  big  colored  boys  a  spitball  which 
they  had  never  seen  before,  blanking  them  the  rest  of  the  way,  giving 
up  one  hit  and  striking  out  six.  Final  score,  Kansas  City  Giants  2, 
Mendota  1. 

After  Bernie  completed  his  schooling  at  East  Mendota  high  school 
in  1909,  he  enrolled  at  St.  Viator's  College  at  Kankakee,  where  he 
pitched  on  the  ball  team  in  1910  and  1911.  St.  Viator's  enjoyed  unusual 
success  on  the  diamond  in  those  years,  and  Bernie  pitched  them  to 
wins  over  Notre  Dame  and  several  other  schools  they  had  never  beaten 
before.     He  was  honored  in  1911  by  being  named  captain  of  the  team. 

While  at  the  Kankakee  school  he  pitched  several  innings  against 
the  Chicago  Cubs  in  an  exhibition  game,  and  Manager  Frank  Chance 
was  so  impressed  with  his  work  that  they  signed  him  in  June,  1911. 
The  Cubs  had  a  great  pitching  staff  at  the  time,  headed  by  "Three 
Finger"  Brown  and  Ed  Ruelbach,  so  Chance  decided  to  send  Bernie  to 
Danville  for  further  seasoning.  Bernie  wasn't  impressed  with  this,  so 
he  came  home  to  cast  his  lot  in  baseball  with  the  semi-pros. 

Almost  every  ball  club  in  Northern  Illinois  sought  his  services,  and 
his  pitching  most  of  the  time  was  sensational.  In  1913  he  started  pitch- 
ing in  a  semi-pro  loop  in  Chicago,  working  for  several  different  clubs. 
Toward  the  latter  part  of  the  season  he  signed  to  play  regularly  with 
Nate  Kaplan's  Chicago  Magnets.  He  won  21  straight  games  for  the 
Magnets  before  losing  his  first  game.  Most  of  his  pitching  was  confined 
to  the  Magnets  until  he  entered  the  army  in  1918.  Bernie  was  sent  to 
Camp  Gordon,  Georgia,  and  immediately  became  a  regular  pitcher  for 
the  powerful  team  representing  that  post. 

After  the  war,  Bernie  again  returned  to  semi-pro  baseball,  and  he 
pitched  his  last  season  in  1923,  for  the  Mendota  Cubs.  In  September  of 
1926  Jimmy  Corcoran,  of  the  Chicago  American,  gave  Bernie  Coss  a 
wonderful  eulogy  as  a  baseball  player:  "Probably  one  of  the  greatest 
spitball  shooters  that  semi-pro  fans  have  seen  was  the  memorable  Bernie 
Coss,  who  pitched  for  years  for  Nate  Kaplan's  Magnets.  Bernie  was  a 
southpaw  who  weighed  about  140  pounds,  and  stood  approximately 
five  feet  seven  inches.  He  starred  at  St.  Viator's  College,  went  to  the 
Cubs,  and  then  decided  to  heave  for  Nate.  Semi-pro  performers  of 
ten  years  ago,  will  remember  Coss  when  he  was  in  his  prime.    That  left- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


249 


handed  spitter  was  unhittable.     With  an  addition  of  poundage,  and  a 
desire  to  put  his  heart  and  soul  in  the  game,  Coss  would  have  been  one 
of  the  greatest  major  league  hurlers  in  the  history  of  the  game." 
Yes,  let's  just  call  him  "Mr.  Baseball  of  Mendota!" 


SERVED  IN  MINOR  LEAGUES 

A  number  of  other  Mendota  young  men  had  promising  careers  in 
baseball,  with  service  in  the  minor  leagues.  This  list  includes  "Stymie" 
Schmitt,  a  pitcher,  who  played  with  Wisconsin  Rapids;  and  Don  Whit- 
more,  also  a  pitcher,  who  played  with  Kewanee  and  also  with  Savannah, 
Georgia.  Jack  Tieman  was  a  pitcher  with  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  and 
with  Hamilton,  Ontario.  Curly  Herman  played  with  Peoria,  and  later 
with  Bloomington  in  the  three-eye  league,  as  an  outfielder.  The  careers 
of  most  of  these  were  halted  by  injuries. 

Troy  Munson  received  a  letter  in  baseball  at  the  University  of 
Michigan,  about  1910. 

Rufus  Waldorf  played  on  the  Notre  Dame  baseball  team  in  the 
early  1900's,  and  also  was  a  member  of  the  football  team  there. 

Another  Mendota  boy  who  starred  in  baseball  and  football  at  Notre 
Dame  was  Frank  "Fats"  Munson. 

Richard  "Shoe"  Virgil  was  a  promising  young  boxer  in  the  late 
30's.  He  was  a  strong  puncher  and  very  game.  His  career,  as  with  so 
many  others,  was  interrupted  by  service  with  the  armed  forces. 


HORSE  RACING 

Horse  racing  and  the  "improvement  of  the  breed"  was  for  many 
years  a  prime  interest  of  many  Mendota  fanciers  of  horse  flesh.  Indeed 
it  has  not  entirely  died  out,  as  one  may  gather  by  viewing  the  efforts 
of  Charles  Haight  and  his  Meridale  stock  farm  and  stables  near  Meriden 
...  or  of  the  exploits  on  the  modern  harness  tracks  of  Harry  Burright 
of  the  fabulous  Burright  family  which  is  written  up  elsewhere  in  this 
history. 

Charles  Haight  still  is  a  popular  starter  at  many  race  meets,  and  in 
the  history  of  Mendota  there  were  many  others  active  in  race  meets, 
not  the  least  of  whom  was  George  Madden. 

Newton  Imus  in  the  early  1900's  and  earlier  was  a  starter  of  races 
at  fairs.  Al  Swearingen,  a  Mendota  resident,  was  a  bookmaker  at  state 
fairs  and  other  racing  meets. 

250         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


As  early  as  1860  there  was  a  trotting  track  "south  of  town,"  made 
possible  by  donations  made  by  citizens.  The  newspaper  in  August, 
1869,  reported  that  a  superb  half-mile  track  was  being  put  in  order 
alongside  the  city  limits,  a  half-mile  from  the  Passenger  House.  A 
"grand  amphitheatre"  was  erected  capable  of  holding  2,500  fans. 

In  the  spring  of  1874  a  few  spirited  citizens  started  to  promote 
interest  in  the  American  Turf  association.  An  association  was  organized 
with  50  stockholders.  Twenty-four  acres  of  land  were  leased  with  the 
option  of  purchase.  There  was  expended  about  $10,000  on  the  track 
and  accessories,  consisting  of  110  large  stalls  for  horses,  an  amphi- 
theatre 200  feet  long,  and  sufficiently  elevated  to  permit  a  commodious 
dining  room  underneath,  as  well  as  numerous  offices  and  refreshment 
booths. 

Four  thousand  dollars  were  awarded  in  premiums  at  the  first  race 
meeting  held  in  August,  1874.  There  were  110  entries  (apparently 
every  stall  was  filled),  and  12,000  fans  attended  during  the  meeting. 

The  association  held  a  one-day  meeing  on  July  5,  1875,  with  $850 
in  premiums  and  25  entries.  The  second  annual  regular  meeting  was 
held  the  following  August  with  premiums  of  $6,000  and  the  daily  at- 
tendance averaged  between  3,000  and  4,000  people. 

Subsequently  the  association  offered  $5,000  in  premiums  and  a 
diamond  medal  championship,  open  to  all  stallions  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  to  be  trotted  over  the  course  on  October  21,  1875.  The 
entries  were  not  filled,  so  the  meet  never  came  off. 

At  this  time  C.  T.  Taylor  was  president,  A.  Meisenbach,  vice- 
president,  T.  F.  A.  Newport,  secretary,  and  S.  Lee,  treasurer. 

Fire  in  1877  destroyed  25  box  stalls  at  the  driving  park  stables. 

Around  the  turn  of  the  century  racing  was  still  flourishing,  when 
the  local  course  was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Valley  Racing  circuit. 
Powers  behind  the  sport  at  this  time  were  George  H.  Madden,  Newton 
Imus,  A.  W.  Mclntire,  and  Al  Swearingen.  Racing  dates  in  1905  were 
July  11  to  14. 

W.  R.  Mclntire  had  a  racehorse  sire,  Assurance,  which  was  promi- 
nent in  breeding  activities.  This  sire  had  a  record  of  2:251/4  and  was 
advertised  as  the  sire  of  Onward  Silver  with  a  record  of  2:2Sy2.  They 
claimed  he  was  one  of  the  "handsomest  and  best  bred  stallions  alive." 

E.  C.  Wicks,  a  Mendota  attorney  and  later  an  alderman,  had  a 
breeding  stable  known  as  "Walnut  Park  Breeding  Stable"  early  in  this 
century.  He  issued  a  catalog  and  featured  three  sires :  Prospect,  Spec- 
tator Boy,  and  High  Mark.  Fees  were  $15  to  insure  a  live  foal.  One 
of  his  breeding  mares  was  named  Meriden  Maid. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         251 


There  were  many  others,  good  ones  out  of  excellent  stock,  owned 
by  Mendota  breeders  and  racers  during  the  years. 

Horse  racing  flourished  or  languished  according  to  the  vicissitudes 
of  the  Mendota  fair  over  many  years,  and  is  still  going  strong  when 
the  Mendota  Tri-County  fair  holds  its  annual  meeting  over  each  Labor 
Day  week-end. 


FOOTBALL  IN  MENDOTA 

Football,  that  sport  of  the  gladiators  which  fills  hundreds  of 
stadia  each  Saturday  in  the  fall  at  the  present  time,  had  rough  and 
uncertain  beginnings  in  Mendota.  At  first  it  was  considered  a  rowdy 
game,  and  certain  it  was  that  it  was  a  bone-crushing  sport.  The  rules 
were  different  and  the  flying  wedge  kept  it  a  game  only  for  the  stalwarts. 

It  is  said  that  the  first  team  in  Mendota  was  in  1896.  Rugby  had 
been  played  previously.  Howard  "Shorty"  Haskell  organized  a  team 
in  that  year.  Some  of  the  players  were  Carl  Weidner,  George  Reichardt, 
Albert  McFarland,  Sam  Haight  Sr.,  Arthur  Wilcox,  Charles  Stare, 
Frank  Blanchard,  Harold  Whitmore,  Axel  Anderson,  Frank  Stare, 
Arthur  Waldorf  and  others. 

A.  W.  Bush  won  a  letter  at  Illinois  in  football  in  1892. 

The  1909  team  played  and  won  a  number  of  games.  This  team 
boasted  such  stalwarts  as  Fred  Brady,  Art  Leifheit,  W.  G.  Van  Etten, 
K.  W.  Pohl,  Frank  Munson,  Bunch  Roth,  and  Jim  Mahar. 

West  Mendota  high  played  a  Thanksgiving  game  against  Dixon 
college.  Dan  Pohl  was  coach.  Again  in  1910  in  a  turkey  day  game 
Earlville  beat  Mendota  6  to  0,  scoring  in  the  last  two  minutes.  Dan 
and  Karl  Pohl  both  were  injured  in  the  game. 

The  team  of  1916  was  an  outstanding  early  team.  It  ran  up  a 
tally  of  108  to  0  against  Marseilles.  With  Hartman  as  coach,  the  team 
won  eight  and  lost  only  one.  Streator  was  another  victim  of  the  locals, 
26  to  7.  On  this  team  played  Rich  Stenger,  "Hub"  Crisler,  Tracy 
Tower,  Cliff  Tower,  Neil  Holliston,  Glen  Momeny,  Norris  Fassett,  Nick 
Coss,  Henry  Kohl,  Frank  Van  Etten,  Red  Tower,  Riddle  and  Slager. 

In  the  20's  football  grew  to  major  status  in  the  high  school.  For 
many  years  Rufus  Dewitz  was  the  successful  mentor  in  football.  Others 
were  Henry  Meyers,  Harold  Owens,  and  for  the  past  four  seasons  the 
teams  have  made  outstanding  records  under  the  coaching  of  George 
"Ted"  Lewis,  a  former  University  of  Iowa  grid  linesman.  Athletic 
Director  Lloyd  Doenier  handles  the  frosh-soph  team. 

The  teams  of  Ted  Lewis  have  been  so  successful  that  they  have 


252         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


won  four  consecutive  conference  championships  in  the  North  Central 
conference,  southwest  division,  in  1949,  1950,  1951,  and  1952. 

Some  outstanding  players  have  been  developed  over  the  years,  not 
the  least  of  which  were  Rich  Stenger,  George  Guilfoyle,  Bob  Neuman, 
Frank  Seno,  Lamar  Brewbaker,  and  Bill  Gehler. 

Bill  Gilkey,  a  product  of  the  Mendota  football  team,  has  gone  on 
to  successful  coaching.  After  playing  at  Ripon  and  other  coaching 
experience,  he  became  football  coach  at  South  Beloit,  Wisconsin. 

Bruce  McDonald,  another  Mendota  boy,  is  coach  at  Rock  Falls 
high  school. 

As  far  as  can  be  recalled,  there  was  only  one  local  football  team 
not  connected  with  the  school.  This  was  the  American  Legion  football 
team  which  played  in  1920  and  1921,  captained  by  Nick  Coss.  Frank 
Spenader  was  its  sterling  fullback. 


BASKETBALL  FAST-GROWING 

Basketball,  the  fastest  growing  sport  in  the  nation,  came  to  Men- 
dota about  1908.  Games  were  played  in  the  Opera  House.  Mendota 
Blackstone  team  lost  to  Amboy. 

The  Mendota  Athletic  club  in  1913  and  1914  had  a  basketball 
team  which  played  various  teams  and  which  also  played  the  high  school 
team  for  the  local  championship.  Stars  were  Henning,  McCarty,  Reck, 
Shaft,  and  Hunter.  In  one  city  championship  game  the  M.A.C.'s  beat 
the  high  school,  52  to  11.  Tower  and  Spenader  starred  for  the  high 
school. 

A  lineup  of  the  high  school  basketball  team  of  1910  reveals  such 
names  as  Robert  Black,  Jack  Faber,  Clarence  Potter  (captain),  Edward 
Alexander,  Edwin  Schildberg,  and  George  Shepherd.  They  played  ten 
games  and  won  about  half  of  them. 

When  the  new  high  school  was  built  with  its  then  elegant  gym 
(now  the  auditorium)  basketball  really  took  hold  and  began  to  grow. 
This  was  about  1919.  Teams  of  the  high  school  engaged  in  regular 
conference  play.  Some  of  the  teams  have  been  outstanding,  engaging 
in  regional  or  sectional  play  on  several  occasions.  In  1944  the  team, 
under  the  coaching  of  Lloyd  Doenier,  won  the  Princeton  regional 
tournament,  but  was  defeated  by  Normal  at  the  LaSalle  sectional. 

Possibly  the  greatest  team  of  them  all  (an  assertion  always  open  to 
debate)  was  the  high  school  cage  quintet  of  the  year  1938.  This  much 
can  be  said,  the  team  advanced  the  farthest  in  state  tournament  play. 
They  won  the  regional  tournament  at  Princeton,  then  advanced  to  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


253 


sectional  where  they  defeated  East  Moline.  They  lost  the  next  game, 
to  Alpha.  On  this  team  were  such  outstanding  players  as  Lloyd  Reeder, 
George  Miller,  Bob  Hessenberger,  Don  Whitmore,  and  Abe  Shapiro. 
They  were  tutored  under  Coach  Heinz. 

Looking  back  over  high  school  teams  of  the  past,  and  omitting 
those  of-  the  last  few  years  for  contemporary  reasons,  one  recalls  a 
number  of  players  who  could  be  termed  outstanding.  Among  these 
were  Dick  Smith,  Louis  Spenader,  Willard  Merritt,  Reed  Sharp,  Roland 
Bates,  Marty  Masear,  Lloyd  Reeder,  George  Miller,  "Red"  Wangler, 
Wayne  Spenader,  Al  Loach,  and  Wayne  Ritter. 

There  have  been  various  independent  town  teams  over  the  years. 
One  of  the  best  was  in  1921  which  won  the  Sandwich  tournament. 

A  string  of  17  straight  victories  was  run  up  by  a  notable  basketball 
team  in  1926  and  1927.  This  was  the  Evangelical  Sunday  School  team 
which  comprised  such  stars  as  Louis  Blotch,  Bill  Beitsch,  Harold  Lown, 
George  Elsesser,  Bud  Kramer,  and  Louis  Spenader.  They  were  beaten 
in  the  Harding  tournament. 

The  Mendota  Waldorf  cafe  team  which  played  through  the  winter 
of  1928  and  1929,  had  the  distinction  of  having  beaten  the  Harlem 
Globetrotters,  36  to  35. 


CRISLER,  SENO,  NEUMAN 

Herbert  0.  Crisler,  who  has  risen  to  fame  as  a  football  coach,  first 
at  Chicago  and  later  at  Minnesota,  Princeton,  and  Michigan,  played  on 
the  Mendota  high  school  football  team  back  about  1917.  "Fritz"  was 
always  successful  as  a  coach,  but  won  his  real  fame  at  the  University  of 
Michigan  where  he  led  the  team  to  many  championships  and  a  Rose 
Bowl  victory,  and  in  recent  years  has  been  the  athletic  director  at  that 
school.  When  he  played  at  Mendota  he  was  known  as  "Hub,"  the 
nickname  "Fritz"  having  been  applied  when  he  became  known  nation- 
ally and  his  name  being  similar  to  that  of  the  famous  violinist,  he  re- 
ceived the  same  nickname. 

Frank  Seno,  one  of  the  greatest  football  players  that  ever  repre- 
sented Mendota,  graduated  from  Mendota  High  in  1941  and  entered 
George  Washington  University,  Washington,  D.  C.  where  he  played 
sensational  football  for  two  seasons.  In  the  spring  of  1943  he  was 
signed  by  the  Washington  Redskins  and  immediately  rose  to  stardom. 
He  was  traded  to  the  Chicago  Cardinals  after  the  1944  season  and 
played  with  the  Chicago  club  in  1945  and  1946.  It  was  in  November 
of  1946  against  the  New  York  Giants  that  he  took  a  kick-off  five  yards 


254 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


behind  his  goal  line  and  went  all  the  way  for  a  105-yard  touchdown 
run  that  still  stands  today  for  a  record  in  the  National  Professional 
Football  league.  He  was  traded  to  the  Boston  Yanks  in  1947  where  he 
played  for  two  seasons.  In  1949  he  went  back  to  the  Washington  Red- 
skins where  he  played  his  final  season.  Frank  is  married  and  has  two 
children,  both  girls,  and  operates  a  large  bowling  alley  at  Bellwood, 
Illinois,  just  west  of  Chicago. 

Robert  "Bob"  Neuman  graduated  from  Mendota  High  School  in 
1930  and  was  one  of  the  best  all-around  athletes  that  ever  represented 
our  local  school.  He  played  four  years  of  varsity  football,  two  years 
of  basketball  and  was  the  leading  scorer  on  the  track  team.  Bob  entered 
Illinois  Wesleyan  university,  where  he  starred  in  football  for  four  years. 
In  1934  he  was  signed  by  the  Chicago  Cardinals  where  he  played 
regular  end  for  three  seasons.  He  then  accepted  the  position  of  head 
football  coach  at  Normal  community  high  school  where  his  teams  have 
had  an  excellent  record.  He  served  three  years  in  the  armed  forces 
during  World  War  II  and  returned  to  his  former  position  early  in  1946. 
Three  years  ago  he  was  elevated  to  the  athletic  directorship  and  also  is 
secretary-treasurer  of  the  Corn  Belt  conference  and  teaches  driver's 
training.  Bob  is  married  and  has  one  son,  Theodore  Robert,  who  is 
two  years  old. 


TRACK  AND  FIELD 

the  first  track  and  field  team  was  started  at  Mendota  high  school 
in  the  spring  of  1920,  but  foot-races  and  throwing  contests  were  being 
held  for  almost  100  years.  Years  before  these  contests  were  usually 
held  before  each  baseball  game  or  during  the  Fairs. 

As  early  as  1867  the  records  show  that  G.  N.  Jones  and  L.  B. 
Crooker  were  winners  in  races  that  preceded  the  ball  game  on  August 
8.  Dow  Schick,  who  played  on  the  Cardinal  baseball  team  in  1890-91, 
was  an  exceptionally  fast  man  and  so  was  Max  Johns  also  a  member 
of  the  same  team.  George  Huff,  who  played  several  years  with  Mendota 
in  baseball,  was  a  very  fast  runner  especially  for  a  big  man. 

In  1896  the  Mendota  fire  department  had  a  running  team  that  the 
town  was  proud  of.  These  men  competed  with  teams  from  surrounding 
towns  in  foot-races  and  ladder  climbing  contests  and  always  made  a 
great  showing.  Members  of  the  team  were  E.  S.  Browne,  Ziska  Schuetz, 
Arthur  Waldorf,  Clarence  Huck,  Ed.  Welsch,  Charles  Reed,  J.  G.  Ruel, 
Harry  Morrison,  Fred  Hoerner,  John  Knauer,  Charles  Moore,  Charles 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         255 


Traynor,  Tom  Connor,  and  Harold  Whitmore.    Ziska  Schuetz  was  the 
fastest  man  on  the  team  and  could  run  100  yards  in  about  10  seconds. 

After  the  turn  of  the  century  many  of  these  races  were  run  during 
the  fairs  and  William  Andrews  was  one  of  the  fastest  men  around  here 
at  that  time. 

A  track  and  field  team  was  started  at  Mendota  high  in  1920  with 
Clarence  Jack  as  coach.  In  1921  the  records  at  Mendota  High  were  as 
follows : 

50  yard  dash    John  Buck 5.8 

100  yard   dash    John  Buck 10.6 

220  yard  dash    John  Buck 23.0 

440  yard   dash    Gib  Truckenbrod 56.8 

880  yard  run Ted  Nieman 2:25.4 

Mile  run    Leo  Guilfoyle   4:46.4 

220  yard  low  hurdles    John  Buck 25.0 

Pole  Vault Dick   Smith    9'10" 

High  Jump    Gib  Blotch   5'4" 

Broad  Jump Gib  Blotch   19'3" 

Discus Don  Williams 96'9%" 

Shot  Put Clayton  Truckenbrod 34'2" 

Javelin    Dick  Smith 132'8" 

880  Yard  Relay G.  Blotch,  J.  Buck, 

H.  Esterday,  D.  Smith 1:40.0 


CURRENT  TRACK  RECORDS 

A  glance  at  the  records  now  shows  the  following: 

100  yard  dash 10.2.  .  Lloyd  Reeder 1938 

Dave  Westerman 1948 

Al  Richards 1949 

Jim  Brown 1953 

220  yard  dash 23.0.  .  John  Buck  1921 

440  yard  dash 51.0.  .  Don  Serup 1948 

880  yard  run 2:02.0.  .  Bob  Larkin 1941 

Mile  run   4:40.0.  .Bob  Larkin 1941 

120  Yd.  high  Hurdles    .  . .  .15.6.  .  Pen  Faber  1948 

200  yd.  low  hurdles 22.4.  .  Dave  Westerman 1947 

180  yd.  low  hurdles   22.3.  .  Curt  Truckenbrod 1953 

Pole  Vault 12'3".  .  Spike  Hawke 1947 

High  Jump   6'1".  .  Leonard  Dunn 1952 

Broad  Jump   21'3".  .  Gerald  Hessenberger 1935 


256 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Discus    136'10".  .Spike  Hawke  1947 

Shot  Put 20'1".  .  Ed.  Peasley  1953 

Javelin 200'.  .  Don  Whitmore   1939 

880  yd.  relay 1 :34.2.  .  L.  Brewbaker,  P.  Faber, 

D.  Serup,  D.  Westerman 1947 

Mile  relay   3:41.0. .  W.  Castle,  C.  Truckenbrod, 

W.  Klinge,  C.  Howarth 1953 

The  1947  track  team  was  probably  the  best  team  that  has  repre- 
sented Mendota  high.  The  oldest  record  is  John  Buck's  220  yard  dash 
of  23  flat.  The  boys  have  been  trying  for  over  30  years  to  break  this 
record  but  so  far  have  not  succeeded. 

Don  Whitmore  holds  the  state  record  in  the  javelin  which  is  200 
feet.  He  won  the  state  championship  in  this  event  in  1939.  Don  was 
one  of  the  best  all-round  athletes  that  ever  represented  Mendota. 

Wallace  "Spike"  Hawke  won  the  state  championship  in  1947 
in  the  pole  vault  at  12  feet  3  inches.  He  also  holds  the  Mendota  record 
in  the  discus  at  136  feet  10  inches.  He  attended  Purdue  university  and 
graduated  in  1951  earning  three  major  track  letters  and  a  freshman 
football  numeral.  He  participated  in  the  discus  and  shot  put  on  the 
Purdue  track  team. 

John  Buck  of  the  class  of  1921  was  an  exceptionally  fine  hurdler 
and  dash  man. 

Bob  Larkin  (1941)  holds  two  fine  records  in  the  880  and  mile 
runs. 

Don  Serup  (1948)  was  a  great  440  man,  winning  every  race 
until  he  reached  the  state  finals. 

Dave  Westerman  (1948)  was  an  outstanding  hurdler  and  dash 
man. 

In  college  ranks,  B.  Harry  Reck  specialized  in  the  quarter  mile 
and  half  mile  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  and  won  his  letter  about 
1910. 


CHASING  THE  LITTLE 
WHITE  BALL 

the  first  golf  course  in  Mendota  was  located  on  the  Black 
farm,  four  miles  northeast  of  town,  in  1924.  Dan  Haskell  and  School 
Supt.  R.  E.  Beebe  were  two  of  those  responsible  for  starting  the  ven- 
ture.   It  was  a  nine-hole  course  with  sand  greens  and  the  grass  was 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         257 


kept  down  by  a  flock  of  sheep  owned  by  Albert  Mathesius.    George 
Richey  of  the  South  Bluff  country  club  laid  the  course. 

At  the  same  time,  Compton  had  a  nine-hole  course — the 
Country  Side  golf  club.  Dr.  C.  A.  Fortier,  Dan  Haskell  and  William 
Faber,  Jr.  belonged  to  this  club  and,  along  with  Bob  Crawford  and 
Rudolph  Witte,  were  some  of  the  first  men  in  Mendota  to  own  golf 
clubs. 

Interest  in  golf  was  growing  rapidly  around  Mendota  and  on 
October  21,  1925,  a  committee  with  R.  E.  Hall  as  chairman,  R.  N. 
Crawford,  Spencer  Moss,  K.  W.  Pohl  and  0.  J.  Ellingen,  visited  the 
Oak  View  country  club  at  Aledo,  Illinois.  Although  Aledo  was  only 
a  town  of  2,000  population,  they  were  supporting  a  golf  club  which 
a  town  ten  times  its  size  could  be  proud  of. 

The  committee  reported  on  their  trip  to  Aledo  and  immediately 
a  new  site  for  a  golf  course  was  sought.  Snyders  Grove  was  a  possible 
site,  but  the  cost  of  removing  a  large  number  of  trees  made  it  prohibi- 
tive. The  Brady  farm  was  also  considered,  but  the  final  decision 
was  to  lease  75  acres  of  the  Fred  Herr  farm,  60  acres  of  which  was 
pasture.  This  location,  south  of  Highway  No.  34  and  west  of  the 
Bureau  county  line,  is  the  present  site  of  the  Mendota  Golf  club.  The 
club  was  organized  in  1926  and  through  the  efforts  of  several  men, 
they  succeeded  in  building  a  beautiful  nine-hole  course.  K.  W.  Pohl 
is  the  man  who  is  most  responsible  for  the  success  of  the  Mendota 
Golf  course — his  untiring  efforts  and  personal  interest  was  an  incen- 
tive for  others  to  see  that  the  project  was  completed. 

Mel  Johnson  of  Peoria,  assisted  by  K.  W.  Pohl  and  Dan  Haskell 
laid  out  the  course  which  is  nine  holes,  par  36,  total  yardage  3,168. 

Ralph  Madden  was  the  first  to  score  a  hole-in-one  and  Harold 
Cummings,  Art  McMahon  and  Harold  Sonntag  also  belong  to  this 
select  group. 

Louie  Treiweiler  of  Aurora  posted  a  64  during  the  summer  of 
1952  which  is  the  course  record  to  date.  Chick  Evans  is  the  best 
golfer  to  appear  on  the  course. 

Undoubtedly  the  best  golfers  to  come  out  of  Mendota  are  Bob 
Lasswell,  Benny  Besenfelder  and  Dick  Faber.  All  three  of  these  boys 
have  won  amateur  tournaments  and  Besenfelder  was  a  member  of 
the  Notre  Dame  golf  team. 

Each  year  a  club  champion  develops,  and  while  the  complete 
records  are  not  available,  Harold  Cummings  was  top  man  the  first 
year,  1926.  Over  the  years,  these  names  have  won  this  prized  honor: 
R.  E.  Hall,  James  H.  Dubbs,  K.  W.  Pohl,  Bob  Lasswell,  A.  B.  Carlson, 

258         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Robert  Sonntag,  Dick  Johns  and  Don  Kettleborough.  Some  of  these 
men  won  the  championship  numerous  years,  although  not  always 
successively. 


SOFTBALL  ACTIVITIES 

during  the  year  1931,  Wayne  King's  orchestra  was  playing 
at  Puritan  Park  and  inasmuch  as  they  had  a  Softball  team,  they  chal- 
lenged a  group  of  boys  on  the  west  side  for  a  game  at  Blackstone  field. 
This  was  the  first  softball  game  played  in  Mendota  and  the  local  boys 
organized  under  the  name  of  the  Uplift  club.  Fitch's  Thrifty  Service 
team  organized  during  the  same  summer. 

Interest  grew  rapidly  in  the  sport  and  in  1932  an  eight-team 
twilight  league  was  formed  with  games  being  played  at  Blackstone, 
Puritan  Park,  Kakusha  Park  and  the  high  school  field.  The  teams  in 
this  league  were  Prima  Specials,  Fitch's  Thrifty  Service,  North-enders, 
Uplift  Club,  Methodist,  Six  Footers,  Conco  Press  and  Puritan  Divers. 
Prima  Specials  were  the  champions  that  year. 

In  1933  the  Mendota  Softball  Association  was  organized  and 
lights  were  purchased  and  installed  at  Puritan  park.  There  were  twelve 
teams  in  the  league  that  year  and  Conco  Press  team  was  the  champion. 
This  was  the  first  year  the  12-inch  ball  was  used — previously  the  14- 
inch  ball  was  standard. 

The  following  year  the  lights  were  moved  to  Kakusha  Park  and 
a  12-team  league  was  again  formed  with  the  Coca  Colas  taking  the 
title. 

In  1935  the  Shell  Oilers  were  declared  the  winners  although  the 
schedule  was  not  completed  due  to  many  cancellations  because  of 
rain.  Attendance  was  not  as  good,  resulting  in  a  financial  loss  and 
in  an  effort  to  raise  funds  to  cover  the  deficit,  the  lights  were  sold 
to  Walnut  in  1936.  The  money  realized  from  this  sale  was  donated 
to  the  City  of  Mendota  for  a  wading  pool  at  Blackstone  park. 

The  Shell  Oil  team  and  the  Conco  Press  team  played  many  travel- 
ing games  during  1935,  meeting  topnotch  teams  from  the  surrounding 
territory.  The  Chatterbox  team  of  the  late  "30's"  was  one  of  the  best 
teams  representing  Mendota,  playing  highly  competitive  teams  in  the 
area.  Bob  Blass'  Wooden  Indians  built  up  a  reputation  in  local  com- 
petition. The  team  was  sponsored  by  "Maize"  and  was  one  of  the 
powers  of  the  LaSalle  league,  taking  two  championships. 

Dempsey's  Welders  took  the  title  in  the  LaMoille  league  in  1946. 
Since  then  Mendota  teams  have  been  playing  in  both  the  LaMoille 
and    Arlington    leagues — Black   Brothers,   Mendota    Building   Service, 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


259 


Old  Timers,  Humes,  Central  Oil  Company,  Seibens'  Hybrids  (Peters- 
town).  The  Humes  were  1950  champions  in  the  LaMoille  tourney. 
Mendota  has  had  many  fine  softball  players  since  the  game  began 
in  1931,  but  the  top  performer  of  them  all  was  Joe  Thompson.  Joe 
came  to  Mendota  from  Earlville  and  immediately  the  local  teams 
became  top  competition  with  teams  from  surrounding  towns.  Joe  was 
as  good  a  pitcher  as  you  would  find  in  this  area  and  his  top  pitching 
effort  was  against  the  great  Bill  Fleming  in  a  1-0  mound  duel  at  the 
Mendota  Fair.    Joe  was  a  great  pitcher  and  a  truly  great  competitor. 

BOWLING 

THE  first  bowling  alley  in  Mendota  was  located  on  Main  Street 
in  the  basement  of  what  is  now  the  Johnson  cigar  store,  about  1890. 
There  was  just  one  alley  and  the  bowling  conditions  were  far  different 
than  today.  The  bowling  balls  were  made  of  wood,  which  made  scor- 
ing much  more  difficult.  Dan  Haskell  was  a  pinsetter  at  this  alley. 
The  pins  were  set  on  the  spots  by  hand  and  when  you  were  through 
for  the  day,  you  were  ready  for  a  good  shower. 

A  few  years  later,  Ed  Heiman  opened  bowling  alleys  in  the  base- 
ment of  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  Bob  Weber  tavern.  The 
boys  tell  some  real  stories  about  bowling  at  these  alleys.  It  seems  the 
boys  with  speed  balls  were  the  "hotshots"  in  those  days  and  on  differ- 
ent occasions  Mr.  Heiman  had  to  replace  the  stove  pipes  located  above 
the  alley  a  short  distance  from  the  fowl  line  when  someone  forgot  to 
let  go  of  the  ball.  Some  of  the  old  timers  say  that  these  alleys  were 
short,  but  when  A.  Shirk  rented  these  alleys  from  Mr.  Heiman  in 
1909,  his  advertisement  in  the  paper  stated  the  alleys  were  regulation. 

About  1901  there  were  bowling  alleys  located  in  the  Steele  Jewelry 
Store  building.  This  was  the  first  bowling  alley  on  which  the  present 
type  bowling  balls  were  used. 

In  1909  Harry  McMahon  operated  two  alleys  in  the  building  now 
occupied  by  the  A  &  P  Store.  An  article  from  the  local  paper  states 
that  Mendota  defeated  an  Aurora  team  by  22  pins — totals  2057  to 
2035.  Dan  Haskell  was  the  star  on  Mendota's  team  with  438. 

Ray  Francis  operated  bowling  alleys  in  this  same  location  in 
1931,  1932  and  1933. 

We  now  have  modern  bowling  alleys  located  in  the  Mendota 
Elks  Lodge,  Bowl  Air  operated  by  "Chance"  Fitzgerald,  and  at  the 
Kanteen    (youth  center). 

From  the  records  available,  only  three  persons  have  bowled  per- 
fect games  of  300 — "Skinny"  Black  in  1922,  Tracey  Tower  in  1931 
and  Robert  Sonntag  in  1933. 


260 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


STEADY  GOETH  THE 


Mil 


M 


endota  is  no  one-horse  town.  It  never  has  been.  Some  less 
fortunate  places  are  wed  to  one  line  of  endeavor.  There  are  towns 
which  live,  languish  or  prosper  according  to  the  vagaries  of  a  cotton 
crop,  a  peach  orchard,  a  coal  mine,  copper  mine  or  shoe  factory.  But 
not  Mendota. 

Our  backbone  is  farming.  Many  of  our  people  own  or  live  or 
work  on  farms.  Not  hobby  farms,  but  good,  solid,  money-makers  at 
$500  per  acre  on  both  sides  of  the  road  in  every  direction.  Corn  is 
King,  with  soy  beans  and  oats  in  second  and  third  place  as  rotation 
crops.  Feeding  cattle  is  also  big  business.  Grass  fed  critters  are  taken 
from  the  range  lands  to  the  west  and  made  fit  to  eat.  We  also  raise 
and  feed  more  hogs  than  one  would  believe  possible.  There  are  farms 
in  these  parts  from  which  every  ear  of  corn  raised  for  50  years  has 
gone  to  market  on  the  hoof,  transformed  through  the  feeding  lot  into 
a  live  and  kicking  potential  porterhouse,  ham  or  lard  pail. 

But  hand  in  hand  with  this  basis  and  background  in  the  land,  and 
giving  variety  and  strength  and  additional  force  to  our  economy,  Men- 
dota has  always  had  a  strong  and  peculiarly  diversified  group  of  in- 
dustries. 

A  goodly  portion  of  our  industrial  activity  is,  as  one  might  expect, 
associated  with  or  dependent  upon  farming.  Our  plants,  large  and 
small,  manufacture  farm  implements,  process  and  combine  feed  for 
farm  poultry  and  animals,  pack  and  can  farm  produce.    The  day  is 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


261 


gone  when  a  young  man  could  marry  himself  a  wife,  buy  a  mule,  a 
walking  plow  and  set  himself  up  in  the  farming  business.  The  average 
farmer  in  these  parts  probably  has  an  investment  of  at  least  $20,000 
in  machinery,  while  many  will  run  to  twice  this  amount.  No  longer 
does  one  permit  chickens  to  scratch  for  a  living,  with  now  and  then 
a  handful  of  oats  on  Sunday.  Now-a-days  the  feeding  of  farm  poultry, 
cattle  and  hogs  is  worked  out  with  the  care  and  precision  of  baby's 
formula  by  experts  in  each  field.  Moreover  the  times  when  grandma 
put  in  endless  hours  drying  and  canning  fruits  and  vegetables  are  long 
gone  and  well.  We  now  eat  mostly  from  cans.  Tin  cans.  Many  of  them 
come  from  here. 


In  the  beginning  was  slough  and  prairie/ 

Our  population  grew  from  nothing  in  1853  when  the  railroad 
came,  to  1,934  in  1860,  3,546  in  1870  and  4,142  in  1880,  a  propor- 
tionate increase  being  evidenced  in  the  rural  areas.  The  job  of  pro- 
viding houses  for  all  these  people,  with  their  schools,  churches  and 
places  of  business,  naturally  gave  rise  to  local  planing  mills,  sash 
and  door  factories,  brick  plants.  As  late  as  1875  a  sash  and  door 
factory  was  being  operated  here  by  Shettel  and  Ruperts  at  a  site  just 
north  of  the  old  Tower  factory,  the  Tower  enterprises  having  started 
as  a  planing  mill  and  sash  factory. 

Several  brick  yards  were  here  in  the  earliest  days,  two  of  them 
being  north  of  town,  one  to  the  south,  where  sign  is  still  seen  of  the 
old  clay  pits  and  kilns. 

The  Mendota  Tile  company  was  located  north  of  the  present  Ka- 
kusha  park,  and  beyond  that  the  .Richard  Peart  (later  Stare)  brick- 
yards. The  Goodwin  brick  plant  and  kilns  were  located  at  the  south 
edge  of  the  city,  southeast  of  the  Burlington  underpass. 

These  yards  also  manufactured  drain  tile  in  large  quantities  to  help 
our  farmers  dry  up  their  land  so  that  it  would  be  suitable  for  cultivation. 
We  of  today  can  hardly  imagine  that  this  country  was  largely  a  series  of 
ponds  throughout  the  spring  and  summer  months,  and  that  our  present 
state  of  high  cultivation  is  the  result  of  millions  of  dollars  spent  on  drain 
tile  and  drainage    ditches. 

It  is  reported  that  one  of  our  then  elderly  pioneer  ladies,  weak 
and  petulant  from  a  siege  of  the  ague,  looked  out  over  the  prairie 
after  a  heavy  rainfall  and  remarked,  "This  is  the  most  God-forsaken 
country  under  the  sun;  I  wish  it  was  sunk!  but  that  ain't  much  of 
a  wish,  for  it  wouldn't  have  to  go  down  over  fifteen  inches  to  be  all 
under  water." 


262 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


The  $1  per  acre  at  which  this  land  at  one  time  sold,  was  about 
all  that  it  was  worth,  without  drainage,  with  no  way  in  which  to  get 
fuel  to  the  farm,  or  the  produce  to  market.  By  the  turn  of  the  century 
these  building  materials  and  drain  tile  industries,  so  essential  to  our 
earlier  life,  had  pretty  well  served  their  purpose  and  their  time.  The 
last  of  these,  a  brick  yard,  finally  went  out  of  business  in  the  twenties. 

Prior  to  the  opening  of  our  nation's  bread  baskets  in  the  north- 
west and  southwest,  each  community  pretty  well  had  to  care  for  its 
own  requirements  of  flour  and  meal.  Consequently  we  find  that  wheat 
was  a  tolerably  important  local  crop  for  a  number  of  years  after  the 
founding  of  our  city,  with  several  of  our  oldest  industries  engaged  in 
milling  flour,  with  cooperage  works  for  flour  barrels  an  important 
adjunct. 


EARLY  STEAM  FLOURING  MILLS 

Our  first  flouring  mill  was  Blackstone  &  Panton's,  built  in  the 
south  part  of  town  in  1854  and  1855.  It  was  of  stone  construction 
and  run  by  steam.  Eleven  years  thereafter  it  burned,  was  rebuilt  larger 
than  before  only  to  burn  again  in  1870.  Eckert  &  Dewey  had  the 
second  mill.  The  Gregg  Mill,  the  third  on  this  site,  was  used  until 
about  1880  when  the  machinery  was  shipped  to  Missouri.  In  1886 
William  Meisenbach  was  operating  a  flour  mill  located  in  the  old 
woolen  mill  building.  Within  a  few  years  after  that  we  were  finding 
it  cheaper  to  buy  flour  milled  in  Chicago  and  Milwaukee.  Local  work 
in  this  line  gradually  disappeared. 

Other  names  associated  with  the  early  years  of  our  milling  indus- 
try are  those  of  Jacob  Sipes,  whose  Mendota  Mills  on  the  east  side  in 
1871  turned  out  a  flour  known  as  "White  Winter  Level  Best",  and  0. 
D.  F.  Conkey,  who  came  here  in  1853  and  was  for  a  time  associated 
with  Jonas  Eckert  in  the  Phoenix  Mills  at  Eighth  street  and  Burlington 
tracks,  the  name  having  been  adopted  because  the  "new"  mill  rose, 
Phoenixlike,  from  the  ruins  of  the  old  after  the  fire  of  1867. 

During  the  early  years  flax  was  also  an  important  local  crop. 
There  was  a  flax  mill,  a  plant  for  the  production  of  linseed  oil,  put 
up  by  John  Dement  of  Dixon  on  the  Castle  property,  run  by  George 
Wells  and  H.  S.  Clark  in  1869.  A  factory  for  making  flax  rope  was 
for  a  time  operated  on  Sixth  street.  Not  so  durable  as  the  hemp  prod- 
uct, it  seems  never  to  have  found  favor  and  soon  languished. 

While  creeping  out  of  the  pioneer  years,  hides  and  leather  goods 
were  also  locally  important.    Gilmore  &  McClure,  later  Gilmore  and 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


263 


Son,  operated  a  steam  tannery  which  processed  8,000  to  10,000  hides 
a  year. 

In  1869  the  firm  leased  the  corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  Sixth  street 
for  a  boot  and  shoe  factory,  to  make  the  "Mendota  Kip  Boot"  with 
an  employment  of  twelve  people. 

In  1868  the  Mendota  Woolen  Mill  was  running  night  and  day. 
In  1866  Thomas  Imus  set  up  a  marble  shop  on  Sixth  street.  Ames, 
Pearce  &  Co.,  in  1869  manufactured  here  their  "Celebrated  Vapor 
Cook  Stove." 

Various  slaughter  houses  operated  in  the  community  through  the 
years,  the  last  two  being  conducted  by  the  Cavell  brothers  and  George 
Erbes. 

During  the  seventies  our  people  seem  to  have  emerged  from  the 
home-made  lye  soap  period  of  their  culture  and  started  to  use  the 
boughten  varieties,  for  about  this  time  we  had,  it  appears,  three  soap 
works,  the  California  Soap  Manufactory  in  which  was  interested  O. 
D.  F.  Conkey;  the  Fay  soap  factory  and  the  Berry  soap  factory.  All 
were  run  subsidiary  to  the  rendering  works,  in  consequence  of  which 
their  fragrance  seems  to  have  been  a  matter  of  concern  among  the 
citizenry  of  the  times. 


CENTER  OF  ORGAN  INDUSTRY 

As  additional  proof  of  our  graduation  from  the  period  of  dire 
necessities  to  that  of  comparative  luxury,  the  careful  historian  must 
point  out  that  in  1870  our  local  westside  planing  mill,  under  the  man- 
agement of  Shettle  &  Rupert,  was  manufacturing  Croquet  Balls,  Mallets 
and  Fixings  and  advertised  "can  furnish  outfits  for  croquet  parties  at 
sight".  While  J.  L.  Wray's  Prairie  Granite,  "a  composition  made  in 
imitation  of  all  kinds  of  stone  from  the  commonest  sandstone  to  the 
finest  marble"  appears  at  the  same  period  to  have  come  into  strong 
fashion,  being  especially  appropriate  for  chimneys. 

In  1872  the  Western  Cottage  Organ  Factory  employed  25  to  30 
men,  indicating  a  sound  progress  in  the  arts  and  culture,  while  the 
east  side  planing  mill,  operated  by  J.  D.  Tower,  was  specializing  in 
the  manufacture  of  school  furniture,  also  the  "Best  Washing  Machine". 

During  the  late  seventies  we  had  here  a  thriving  and  somewhat 
spectacular  button  factory.  The  local  press,  on  May  27,  1876  an- 
nounced that  The  Herrick  Button  company  was  to  have  a  factory  on 
Washington  street,  buttons  to  be  made  of  ivory  nuts  called  "Phytelphas 
Macrocarpa",  imported  from  South  America.   The  buttons  were  made 


264 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


from  the  hard  kernel  of  this  nut.  In  1877  the  plant  employed  35  men. 
Lorenzo  Aldrich  and  Dr.  Brockway,  who  went  to  Connecticut  to  get 
skilled  workmen,  were  prominent  in  the  industry.  Early  in  1880  the 
plant  was  entirely  destroyed  by  fire,  the  fire  department  being  handi- 
capped by  "lack  of  water  and  citizen  aid".  Rebuilt  later  in  the  same 
year,  the  establishment  was  again  lost  to  flames  and  never  reestab- 
lished. 


It  was  but  natural  that  the  manufacture  of  farm  implements  was 
an  important  part  of  our  early  activity.  Though  pretty  well  shrouded 
in  the  mists  of  antiquity,  it  is  likely  that  the  building  recently  removed 
to  make  way  for  the  new  Kroger  store  was  our  first  manufacturing 
establishment,  it  having  been  built  in  1864  by  J.  J.  West,  one  of  the 
founders  of  our  city.  The  next  year  it  was  sold  to  Donohue  &  Madden, 
who  moved  to  that  location  a  foundry  which  they  had  previously 
operated,  starting  a  wagon  factory  on  the  second  floor  of  the  new 
building. 

Prior  to  the  move,  Donohue  &  Madden,  as  successors  in  interest 
to  the  Eagle  Machine  Company,  had  produced  a  line  of  sugar-making 
machinery  started  by  the  parent  concern  in  1858.  This  firm  seems  to 
have  enjoyed  a  favorable  press,  for  the  paper  of  April  15,  1869  ad- 
vises, "Messrs.  Donohue  &  Madden,  always  on  the  alert,  are  going 
to  furnish  accommodations  for  hitching  150  teams  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  their  foundry  and  machine  shop."  June  3,  1876,  it  was 
reported  that  the  firm  had  turned  out  a  15  HP  steam  engine,  being 
the  first  steam  engine  manufactured  in  the  city.  Four  months  later  they 
were  closed  down  by  reason  of  a  strike  of  the  miners  in  LaSalle.  The 
firm  continued  existence  in  this  city  for  over  50  years. 

J.  Kenworthy  established  a  shop  for  making  wagons  in  1854. 
Fourteen  years  later,  in  his  shop  on  Washington  street  across  from  the 
postoffice,  he  employed  ten  men.  One  of  Mr.  Kenworthy's  earliest 
advertisements  appeared  in  The  Mendota  Press  of  June  28,  1855,  as 
follows : 

CARRIAGE      SHOP 

*       *       *       * 

JAMES    KENWORTHY 

having  located  in  Mendota,  is  prepared  to  build  to  order  Carriages 
and  Wagons,  out  of  the  best  Eastern-seasoned  material,  on  short  notice 
and  reasonable  terms.    Repairing  neatly  and  promptly  done. 
All  work  guaranteed. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


265 


In  the  summer  of  1867  J.  Korteck  erected  a  two-story  brick  build- 
ing, "fire-proof",  to  be  used  as  a  wagon  manufactory  and  blacksmith 
shop.  As  early  as  1865  L.  Pressure  also  had  a  two-story  structure  on 
Sixth  street  for  the  manufacture  of  reapers,  while  Rowland  &  Adams 
at  the  same  time  and  on  the  same  street  had  a  blacksmith  shop  and 
plow  factory. 

By  1872  we  had  acquired  the  business  of  Mark  Scott  &  Com- 
pany, which,  under  the  management  of  John  C.  Pearl,  the  patentee, 
was  making  the  Pearl  Riding  &  Walking  Cultivator.  This  same  year 
our  old  friend,  J.  Kenworthy,  acquired  a  steam  engine  for  his  plant 
and  seems  to  have  branched  out  from  wagon  factory  to  the  manufac- 
ture    of  carriages  and  buggies. 

As  will  be  seen,  the  Tower  family  and  factory  played  a 
prominent  part  in  the  history  of  our  city  for  three  quarters  of  a  cen- 
tury. No  responsible  history  of  our  industries  could  avoid  reference 
to  their  line  of  farm  machinery.  Starting  early  in  the  history  of  the 
city  as  a  planing  mill  and  sash  and  door  factory,  the  Tower  industry 
gradually  turned  to  the  manufacture  of  several  types  of  farm  machin- 
ery, largely  invented  and  developed  by  members  of  the  family.  By  the 
year  1876  they  were  exhibiting  at  the  Ottawa  State  Fair  their  surface 
cultivator  then  in  production.  Their  new  factory  building  was  erected 
in  1883.  By  the  turn  of  the  century  their  establishment  covered  two 
city  blocks.  They  made,  in  addition  to  their  cultivator,  a  pulverizer 
and  at  a  later  date  a  burr  mill  for  grinding  feed. 


COMBINATION  CORN  PLOW  AND  BUGGY 

Among  the  curios  of  the  early  days  may  be  mentioned  a  combi- 
nation corn  plow  and  buggy,  made  here  in  1871  by  Korteck  &  Linscott. 
The  device  was  so  arranged  that  either  axle  could  be  detached  and 
a  set  of  plows  put  on.  Shortly  after  this  time  H.  H.  Eby  invented 
a  cob  stacker  attachment  for  corn  shellers,  a  device  which  was  exten- 
sively used  by  large  manufacturers  for  many  years. 

In  1886  carriages  and  buggies  were  being  manufactured  by  Wash- 
burne  &  Scheidenhelm  at  their  plant  where  the  Ford  garage  is  now 
located;  also  by  Boettcher  &  Livers  in  a  plant  just  north  of  the  State 
theater. 

The  buggies  and  carriages  of  this  period  were  works  of  art,  re- 
quiring the  services  of  skilled  craftsmen  in  a  number  of  fields.  Made 
mostly  of  hickory,  with  iron  work  still  moderately  familiar  to  many 
of  us,  they  were  often  hand  carved  in  decorative  features  and  usually 


266 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


had  about  fourteen  coats  of  stain,  paint  or  varnish,  rubbed  between 
coats.  As  a  final  flourish,  these  pieces  of  rolling  stock  were  elaborately 
striped  in  blue,  red,  gold,  to  suit  the  tastes  and  purse  of  the  customer. 
Around  the  turn  of  the  century  the  costs  of  buggies  and  carriages  was 
about  $90  to  $110  for  singles,  with  doubles  at  $125  to  $135. 


WOOD  HORSES  FOR  MERRY-GO-ROUNDS 

The  late  John  Huelzer,  wood  carver  from  the  old  country,  and 
who  came  over  in  1851,  has  given  us  some  slight  claim  to  immortality 
as  being  the  town  where  he  originated  and  carved  the  first  of  the 
thousands  of  wooden  horses  which  are  now  standard  equipment  on 
merry-go-rounds. 

After  the  turn  of  the  century  Edgar  Wills  here  manufactured  his 
Cow  Boy  Tank  Heater,  a  device  to  prevent  freezing  of  water  for  live- 
stock during  the  winter  months. 

In  1875  a  company  was  formed  with  J.  D.  Tower  as  president 
for  the  manufacture  of  the  Nettler  Corn  Husker.  Later  in  the  same 
year  the  Nettler  Patent  Tile  Layer  was  also  made  here. 

In  an  article  from  the  Chicago  Times,  reprinted  May  8,  1875, 
Mendota  industries  are  set  forth  as  follows: 

1.  Western  Cottage  Organ  Company  100  men 

2.  Donohue  &  Madden  Foundry  30  men 

3.  J.  D.  Tower  Planing  Mill 

4.  Kenworthy,  Larks  &  Co.,  buggies      \  8  to  25 

5.  Hawthorne  &  Washburne,  buggies     /  men  each 

6.  Dana  &  Conkey  Tannery 

7.  Linnscott,  Reck  &  Co.,  Flour  Mill 

8.  Mettler  Mfg.  Co.,  Corn  Hucker 

For  over  50  years  the  Schaller  family  has  operated  the  Mendota 
Manufacturing  &  Transfer  Company.  Though  primarily  engaged  in 
foundry  and  machine  shop  work  on  a  custom  basis,  and  in  the  sale 
and  repair  of  farm  machinery,  they  have  at  various  times  over  the 
years  manufactured  corn  shellers,  hay  loaders,  wind  mill  regulators 
and  similar  specialties.  At  the  present  time,  and  under  the  same  family 
management,  they  operate  the  only  fully  equipped  custom  machine 
shop  in  the  city. 

In  the  seventies,  with  the  advent  of  bustles  and  croquet,  we  got 
soda  pop,  the  firms  of  F.  Molln  &  Co.,  and  J.  F.  Wohlers  having  had 
soda  water  plants  here  at  the  time.  Ice  was  got  from  our  ponds.  The 
newspaper  of  December  13,   1872,  reports  that  the  ice  dealers  were 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


267 


already  harvesting  good  12-inch  ice.  And  the  same  of  December  16, 
1876  tells  us  that  C.  Henning  had  20  teams  hauling  to  the  ice  house 
that  week.  Earlier  in  the  same  year  we  learn  that  C.  Henning  got  a 
new  furnace  and  copper  liquor  cooler  for  his  brewery. 

Earlier  historians  have  given  scant  notice  to  the  Henning  Brewery. 
This  oversight  may,  perhaps,  be  accounted  for  by  a  fear  of  offending 
the  fastidious.  It  is  a  solid  historical  fact,  however,  that  the  Henning 
Brewery  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  larger  employers  in  the  city. 
Their  plant  and  grain  storage  facilities  covered  almost  an  entire  block. 
As  far  back  as  1877  the  annual  value  of  their  product  was  in  excess 
of  $50,000.  During  or  prior  to  the  civil  war  Diederich  Volk  started 
the  first  brewery  to  be  operated  in  Mendota.  The  business  was  taken 
over  in  the  60's  by  Henning  and  Grube,  later  and  for  many  years 
operated  by  Henning  alone.  Their  product  was  sold  under  the  labels, 
"Go  Ahead"  and  "Export". 

During  the  early  period  of  the  business  beer  was  hauled  by  team 
six  miles  to  the  Village  of  Troy  Grove  where  it  was  stored  for  aging 
in  the  silica  cave  south  of  the  village,  said  to  have  been  used  by  the 
pioneers  as  a  place  of  retreat  during  Indian  raids  on  the  settlement. 
Later  on  the  beer  was  aged  in  an  ice  house  on  the  premises  here  in 
Mendota.  In  1873  Henning  built  a  brick  storage  house  40'  x  50'  x  50' 
high,  with  hollow  walls  40"  thick,  which  were  packed  with  800  tons 
of  ice.  This  part  of  the  establishment  stood  on  the  alley  to  the  rear 
of  the  present  apartment  house  remodeled  from  a  front  portion  of 
their  main  building.  Following  the  disastrous  explosion  of  1895  the 
plant  was  rebuilt  and  thereafter  continued  to  operate  until  shortly 
before  World  War  I  when  it  was  liquidated  and  sold  out  in  bank- 
ruptcy. 

Cigar  making  was  also  a  solid  local  business  for  many,  many 
years.  Although  there  seems  to  have  been  no  particular  activity  in 
this  field  during  the  infancy  of  Mendota,  for  the  past  75  years  we 
have  had  from  one  to  as  many  as  three  or  four  cigar  factories,  often 
with  an  aggregate  employment  of  100  men.  It  is  of  particular  interest 
to  us  moderns  that  these  cigars  were  mostly  the  good,  5c  variety, 
which  this  country  still  needs. 

Tony  Bennauer's  factory  was  known  as  Bookmaker  Havana  Cigar 
Manufacturers,  "Bookmaker"  being  the  label  name  of  his  superior 
line  of  10c  and  25c  cigars.  His  5c  lines  went  under  the  labels,  "Miss- 
ing Miss",  "Teddy  Bear",  "Hopkin's  Choice".  Tony  says  that  a  jour- 
neyman cigar  maker  averaged  about  250  per  day,  but  that  the  pro- 
duction varied  widely  even  among  those  skilled  in  the  trade;  the 
stewers  got  out  about  150  in  eight  hours,  while  some  who  did  not 


268 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


appear  to  be  doing  anything  in  a  hurry  would  make  as  high  as  400 
in  the  same  length  of  time.  Back  in  Civil  War  times  Jake  Miller  had  a 
small  factory  where  Mildred's  Grocery  is  located.  In  the  1870's  Haas 
&  Heeney  ran  a  factory  employing  40  to  50  people  in  two  stories  at 
Sohn's  present  clothing  store.  Pat  Hart  at  a  later  date  turned  out  his 
"Hart's  Label"  in  the  building  on  Main  Street  still  owned  by  the 
family. 

Henry  Stenger  and  Joseph  Weidner,  Gross  &  Kuppel,  Rodener 
Brothers,  Swearingen,  John  Faber,  are  names  significant  in  the  busi- 
ness, while  the  labels,  "Bob  Ingersoll",  "Iron  Cross",  "A  10  for  5", 
"Aunt  Tildy"  will  bring  nostaglic  memories  to  many.  The  last  of  the 
cigar  makers,  Tony  retired  in  1950.  He  still  stays  rather  busy  at  his 
home  making  final  clearance  and  settlement  with  Uncle  Sam's  excise 
tax  division.  Though  primarily  the  victim  of  cigar-making  machines, 
one  gathers  that  handmade  cigars  may  have  been  hastened  on  their 
way  to  oblivion  by  the  increasing  burden  of  governmental  red  tape. 


ANOTHER  ORGAN  FACTORY 

Among  our  industries  of  the  past  which  ran  afoul  of  shifting 
public  fancy  was  the  organ  business.  For  over  50  years  this  city  was 
an  important  center  of  manufacture,  with  the  organ  factories  forming 
our  most  important  industrial  group.  C.  W.  Tewksbury  started  making 
melodeons  in  1857,  annual  production  two  dozen  instruments.  Some- 
what later  he  was  joined  by  E.  B.  Carpenter,  an  organ  maker  from 
Vermont.  Together  they  formed  Tewksbury,  Carpenter  &  Co.  In  1866 
they  completed  their  plant,  70  x  30  on  Sixth  Street,  put  on  a  major 
addition  in  1872.  Their  product  was  the  Western  Cottage  Organ, 
famed  far  and  wide  throughout  the  midwest  of  their  times.  In  1886 
they  produced  3,000  organs  in  eleven  attractive  styles,  and  employed 
over  100  people.  For  a  number  of  years  the  annual  value  of  their 
product  exceeded  a  half  million  dollars. 

When  the  organ  factory  passed  from  the  firm  of  Carpenter  and 
Tewksbury  to  eastern  capitalists  who  brought  their  own  office  force 
(all  unmarried)  it  was  a  boon  to  the  social  life  of  Mendota.  They, 
with  the  home  town  boys,  formed  a  club  known  as  U.  I.  O.'s  which 
meaning  was  unknown.  Dancing  parties  in  winter  and  picnics  in  sum- 
mer were  organized.  To  retaliate  the  girls  formed  a  club  known  as 
M.  M.  M.  They  did  not  object  to  giving  out  the  meaning.  The  initials 
stood  for  "Mendota's  Merry  Maidens." 

The  Billhorn  organ  was  also  an  important  local  product.    It  was 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


269 


a  smaller,  portable  type  of  instrument,  and,  strangely  enough,  is  still 
being  made,  though  not  here.  Seems  that  it  was  used  extensively  by 
the  army  in  World  War  II  in  their  chapels. 

And  so  turns  the  wheel.  The  organ,  once  an  indispensible  item 
in  all  proper  homes,  has  succumbed  to  the  piano,  which  in  turn  has 
been  done  in  by  radio  and  record  players,  both  of  which  will  no  doubt 
be  led  to  the  block  by  television  or  by  more  advanced  technologies 
of  the  future. 


INDUSTRIES  THAT  WE  LOST 

The  municipal  historian  views  industries  which  are  dead  and  gone 
with  much  the  same  feeling  that  parents  contemplate  a  death  among 
their  children.  And  the  more  recent  the  loss  the  more  poignant  the 
mood.  Why  did  we  lose  it?  What  could  we  have  done  to  prevent  it? 
Within  the  past  ten  or  twelve  years  we  have  lost  two  industries  which 
were  vital  to  this  community:  J.  D.  Tower  &  Sons  Company  and 
Sampsel  Time  Control,  Inc.  Hindsight,  which  is  immeasurably  supe- 
rior to  Foresight,  tells  us  that  we  probably  could  have  saved  them 
both. 

For  almost  75  years  the  J.  D.  Tower  and  Sons  Company  had 
been  a  bulwark  in  this  community.  Through  depression  and  panic, 
good  times  and  poor  times,  despite  the  loss  of  one  of  the  founders  and 
four  of  his  children,  two  of  whom  were  active  in  the  business,  within 
a  period  of  a  few  weeks  during  the  flu  epidemic  of  1918,  this  family 
maintained  its  company  as  one  of  the  big  three  of  our  local  industries. 
Its  main  product  was  the  Tower  Cultivator,  the  original  surface  culti- 
vator now  employed  so  widely  in  the  cultivation  of  our  crops.  Through 
this  cultivator  and  the  allied  lines  of  farm  machinery  the  Towers 
spread  the  name  of  Mendota  far  and  wide  through  the  land,  gave  the 
town  a  welcome  industrial  payroll  and  made  a  profit  for  themselves. 

But  this  profit  was  small  during  and  after  the  depression  years 
of  the  early  thirties.  Hence  it  came  to  pass  that  an  outsider  was 
brought  in  early  in  the  forties  to  put  the  company  on  its  feet.  This 
newcomer's  ideas  were  not  too  unsound,  had  he  been  blessed  with  a 
reasonably  unlimited  amount  of  cash  in  the  company  till,  in  default 
of  which  he  managed  shortly  to  steer  the  company  into  the  bankruptcy 
courts,  from  which  it  did  not  emerge  as  a  going  concern.  An  active 
board  of  directors  composed  of  local  bankers  and  industrialists  fully 
aware  of  the  financial  facts  of  life  might  have  kept  the  concern  on  its 
course. 


270         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


We  lost  Sampsel,  who  invented  and  makes  the  time  controls  which 
stop  and  start  your  furnace,  because  Mendota  did  not  do  that  which 
was  essential  to  keep  him  and  his  company.  Mr.  Sampsel  apparently 
did  not  want  to  move.  This  was  his  home.  Most  of  his  employees 
lived  here,  being  approximately  100  in  number.  But  his  growing 
business  demanded  more  ample  quarters.  The  neighboring  com- 
munity of  Spring  Valley  got  its  business  men  and  civic  leaders  to- 
gether and  made  a  proposal  which  Mendota  did  not  meet.  We  now 
view  with  regret  his  large  and  repeatedly  expanded  plant  in  our  neigh- 
boring city,  where  he  employs  upward  of  550  people.  This  payroll 
might  have  been  ours. 

As  was  the  case  with  the  Mother  Hubbard  Washboard,  most  of 
the  industrial  activity  of  the  past  has  gone  its  way  by  reason  of  ob- 
solesence.  Some  of  it,  as  with  the  organ,  fell  victim  to  changing  tastes. 
A  part  served  its  vital  place  during  a  particular  portion  of  our  history, 
to  dwindle  and  die  because  it  had  largely  exhausted  its  market.  Some 
met  with  physical  disaster. 

After  the  turn  of  the  century  and  continuing  into  the  nineteen 
twenties,  Will  Hubbard  founder  of  the  Mother  Hubbard  Company 
manufactured  in  Mendota  the  Mother  Hubbard  Washboard  a  mechani- 
cal board  with  right  and  left  hand  threads  which  worked  similarly  to 
rubbing  clothes  between  the  hands.  Their  plant,  back  of  Anderson's 
Bakery,  employed  four  or  five  men,  with  sales  being  made  by  house  to 
house  canvass.  Fred  Henning  and  Pete  Weber  were  for  a  time  asso- 
ciated with  the  company  whose  product  enjoyed  a  considerable  sale 
until  the  advent  of  the  electric  washing  machine. 


BLACK  BROTHERS  OLDEST  INDUSTRY 

The  distinction  of  being  Mendota's  oldest  manufacturing  concern 
is  accorded  The  Black  Brothers  Co.  This  company  was  organized 
in  Chicago  in  1882  by  Walter,  John  and  William  Black  to  manufac- 
ture sanding  machinery  for  the  wood  working  industry.  In  that  branch 
of  the  business  they  perfected  and  added  greatly  to  the  equipment 
then  being  offered. 

In  1901  they  moved  their  business  to  Mendota  and  erected  a  fac- 
tory building  adjoining  the  old  Donohue  &  Madden  foundry,  which 
was  located  on  the  land  now  occupied  by  the  Kroger  store.  The  Black 
factory  stood  on  the  space  now  being  used  for  auto  parking  south  of 
the  store.  This  building  and  part  of  the  foundry  served  as  their  plant 
until  1907  when  the  brothers  acquired  the  property  on  South  Ninth 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         271 


avenue,  to  where  part  of  the  original  factory  building  was  moved.  A 
portion  of  this  building  was  used  for  office  purposes.  The  remainder 
and  a  new  brick  structure,  supplementing  it,  served  as  factory  space. 
The  elder  Black  Brothers  have  long  since  passed  on.  John  E. 
Black  and  Robert  S.  Black,  sons  of  John  Black,  Sr.,  took  over  the 
assets  of  the  parent  company  after  the  first  World  War  and  after  their 
honorable  discharge  from  the  U.  S.  armed  forces,  where  John  served 
as  lieutenant  with  the  172nd  Aero  Squadron,  A.E.F.,  and  Robert  as 
lieutenant  with  the  54th  Heavy  Artillery,  A.E.F.  They  formed  the 
present  corporation  known  as  "The  Black  Brothers  Co.,  Inc."  in 
1920.  Under  their  direction  the  business  enjoyed  a  steady  growth. 
During  the  years,  veneers  and  plywoods,  through  their  ramifications, 
became  one  of  the  most  important  branches  of  the  woodworking  in- 
dustry. 

While  sanding  machines  still  play  a  part  in  wood  finishing,  the 
more  important  branch  of  the  industry  depends  upon  machinery  to 
perfect  these  wood  laminations.  The  evolution  from  sanding  equipment 
to  machines  for  spreading  adhesives  and  for  the  clamps  and  presses  to 
firmly  bind  the  lamina  together  was  a  natural  thing  for  the  Black  Broth- 
ers. They  gradually  discontinued  making  sanding  equipment  after  per- 
fecting a  roller  coating  machine  for  spreading  adhesives  and  for  other 
coating  purposes;  apparatus  for  preparing  adhesives;  presses  for  ply- 
woods and  veneers;  clamps  and  other  devices  used  in  furniture  making 
— in  fact,  machinery  of  any  type  or  kind  of  manufacturing  process  that 
works  in  wood  or  combines  metals,  plastics  or  countless  other  ma- 
terials with  wood  in  their  finished  state.  Few  people  realize  that 
manufacturers  of  pianos,  parts  of  automobiles,  Masonite,  Celotex, 
cardboard  packing  boxes,  insulation,  butcher  blocks,  bowling  pins — 
in  other  words,  just  think  of  anything  that  is  glued  and  molded  to- 
gether in  its  manufacturing  and  you  have  found  users  of  Black's 
machinery. 

The  factory  employs  approximately  80  people,  thus  playing  an 
important  role  in  community  life.  Machines  that  these  Mendota  citi- 
zens make  carry  the  name  of  "The  World's  Greatest  Little  City"  all 
over  the  civilized  and  not-so  civilized  world.  Into  Afghanistan,  Paki- 
stan, Iran,  Israel,  Finland,  Japan,  China,  all  of  Europe,  parts  of  Africa, 
Australia  and  New  Zealand — as  England  used  to  be  able  to  say,  now 
Mendota  can  truthfully  paraphrase,  "The  Sun  never  sets  on  Mendota 
as  its  name  goes  around  the  world  on  Black's  plywood  machinery." 
The  bulk  of  the  domestic  sales  of  the  output  of  the  factory  is  handled 
in  most  part  through  distributors  or  manufacturers'  agents  numbering 
several  hundred  in  the  United  States  and  Canada.   The  contacts  in  for- 

272         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


eign  countries  are  made  through  large  exporting  concerns  who  main- 
tain sales  representatives  in  all  parts  of  the  world. 

In  the  present  world  crisis,  as  during  world  wars,  Black  Bros, 
machines  are  used  extensively  both  here  and  abroad  in  factories  em- 
ployed on  government  contracts  for  defense  purposes. 


Under  the  management  of  John  E.  Black  and  Robert  S.  Black 
the  company  made  rapid  progress.  In  the  mid  1940's  the  factory  was 
completely  retooled  with  equipment  which  permitted  the  increased 
volume  to  be  handled  with  greater  facility.  This  retooling  continued 
until  today  the  factory  is  recognized  as  having  the  most  modern  and 
finely  tooled  machine  shops  to  be  found  in  any  factory  comparable 
in  size. 

In  1950  the  need  for  additional  space,  necessitated  the  planning 
of  the  new  office  building  which  was  completed  and  ready  for  occu- 
pancy in  December,  1951.  The  interior  of  these  modern  office  quarters 
is  uniquely  beautiful.  Because  of  the  relationship  existing  between 
Blacks  and  the  woodworking  industry,  it  was  a  natural  thing  for  them 
to  finish  the  interior  with  materials  in  which  Black's  machinery  had 
an  important  role  in  the  making.  Five  examples  of  beautiful  veneers 
are  represented  in  the  plywood  panels,  which  were  used  in  the  interior, 
ranging  from  the  less  expensive  though  good  looking,  Douglas  Fir,  to 
imported  Philippine  Mahogany,  South  American  Korina,  Domestic 
White  Oak  and  Black  Walnut.  These  large  panels  3  feet  wide  by  10 
feet  in  length  were  especially  fabricated  for  the  office.  Matching  flush 
doors  are  used  throughout  the  interior,  along  with  a  hard  maple  floor- 
ing.   The  ceiling  is  of  modern  acoustical  tile. 


John  E.  Black,  the  former  president  of  the  corporation  and  one 
who  is  remembered  with  respect,  by  all  who  knew  him,  passed  on  in 
February,  1951.  Robert  S.  Black  assumed  the  position  vacated  by  his 
brother,  and  upon  him  devolved  the  active  management  of  the  com- 
pany. He  is  aided  very  competently  by  James  S.  Carroll,  as  vice- 
president  and  assistant  manager,  and  other  faithful  employees  who 
have  been  with  the  company  for  many  years. 

The  latest  phase  of  the  development  of  this  company  is  being 
written,  as  the  old  original  portion  of  the  factory,  which  was  a  land- 
mark in  1901,  is  being  torn  down  to  make  way  for  a  modern  harmo- 
nizing addition  to  the  plant. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         273 


H.  D.  CONKEY  &  CO.  ESTABLISHED  1907 

paralleling  the  growth  of  Mendota  during  the  past  50  years 
has  been  the  growth  of  H.  D.  Conkey  &  Company.  Back  in  1907, 
shortly  after  college,  H.  D.  Conkey  forsook  the  farm  management  and 
grain  elevator  business  career  of  his  father  and  started  a  wholesale 
coal  business  under  the  name  of  H.  D.  Conkey  Coal  Company. 

The  coal  business  was  a  winter  business  and  to  continue  serving 
the  dealer  organization,  one  of  the  first  sand  and  gravel  washing  and 
screening  plants  was  put  into  operation  at  Yorkville,  Illinois,  in  1910. 
Other  plants  were  started  at  Moronts,  Sheridan,  Oregon,  and  in 
1925  one  of  the  most  modern  washing  plants  in  the  country  was  put 
into  operation  at  Aurora.  These  plants  contributed  largely  to  the  Illi- 
nois good  roads  program  and  to  building  construction  in  Illinois.  This 
latter  plant  is  still  in  operation. 

In  1939  a  large  modern  brick  plant  was  purchased  at  Lowell, 
Illinois.  Production  here  is  confined  to  the  manufacture  of  high  grade 
face  brick  in  unusual  shades  of  gray  and  pastel  colors.  To  still  further 
meet  the  needs  of  the  ever-expanding  dealer  organization  the  company 
in  1949  purchased  a  limestone  quarry  near  Lannon,  Wisconsin.  The 
Lannon  stone  from  this  quarry  is  used  by  Northwestern  University  for 
their  buildings  and  for  thousands  of  schools,  churches  and  dwellings 
in  the  middle  west.  Deposits  of  this  high  grade  stone  are  ample  for 
several  generations.  Crab  Orchard  and  other  types  of  architectural 
stone  are  made  available  to  architects  and  builders  through  national 
sales  contracts  with  the  producers. 

Thus  has  risen  the  building  materials  business  started  and  still  con- 
trolled by  H.  D.  Conkey.  Aiding  him  in  the  development  from  the 
early  days,  were  J.  P.  Gallagher,  who  serves  as  secretary-treasurer; 
0.  J.  Ellingen,  who  was  one  of  the  vice  presidents  until  his  untimely 
death  in  1951;  and  W.  G.  Van  Etten,  who  still  serves  as  vice  president 
and  sales  manager  of  the  manufacturing  division.  A  son,  R.  W.  Con- 
key, joined  the  firm  in  1924  and  is  now  executive  vice  president. 

World  War  I  in  1917  limited  coal  markets  and  reduced  the  de- 
mand for  gravel,  except  for  wartime  construction.  The  company 
acted  as  brokers  to  secure  war  sub-contracts  for  a  small  local  factory. 
From  this  beginning  grew  the  Conco  Engineering  Works,  housed  for  a 
number  of  years  in  a  remodeled  livery  barn  at  the  north  edge  of  Men- 
dota's  business  district.  Light  cranes  and  contractors'  equipment  were 
produced  in  this  plant  until  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  July,  1925. 
The  manufacturing  plant  had  been  developing  rapidly  under  the  leader- 
ship of  R.  W.  Conkey  since  his  graduation  from  college  in  1924,  and 
the  firm  was  in  no  mood  to  quit.    Plans  to  rebuild  were  started  im- 


274 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


mediately  and  on  January  1,  1926  the  operations  were  moved  to  the 
new  and  modern  plant  at  the  south  edge  of  Mendota. 

Almost  immediately  it  was  evident  that  the  new  building  was  too 
small.  The  overhead  crane  and  hoist  business  grew  by  leaps  and 
bounds.  A  locomotive  crane  business  from  Champaign,  Illinois  was 
annexed.  Other  items  were  developed  and  production  increased  until 
the  1929  depression  struck.  By  1930  the  demand  for  cranes  and  heavy 
equipment  had  stopped  completely,  few  roads  were  being  built,  and 
building  construction  was  at  a  standstill.  Again  the  company  started 
looking  for  other  work  to  take  the  place  of  that  halted  by  the  depres- 
sion. 

In  1930  a  printing  plant  in  Mendota,  which  had  been  in  operation 
for  many  years,  was  in  financial  difficulty,  but  orders  were  still  coming 
in.  This  plant  was  purchased  and  the  Conco  Press  came  into  being. 
New  equipment  was  purchased,  men  skilled  in  printing  were  brought 
to  Mendota,  and  an  extremely  high  grade  of  publishing  and  advertis- 
ing printing  was  produced.  The  Press  continued  to  grow  and  was 
operated  by  H.  D.  Conkey  &  Company  until  shortly  before  World  War 
II  when  it  was  sold  to  Kenneth  B.  Butler,  the  plant  manager,  and  a 
group  of  his  associates. 


The  manufacturing  plant  was  not  entirely  idled  by  the  depres- 
sion, although  the  entire  working  force  at  one  time  was  down  to  a 
mere  handful  of  people.  The  company  decided  to  enter  the  manufac- 
ture of  ice  cream  freezers  and  production  started  early  in  1933.  This 
line  of  household  equipment  met  with  immediate  favor  and  soon  the 
entire  pre-depression  working  force  was  back  on  the  payroll  with  a 
sizable  increase  in  total  employment. 

In  1935  the  company  started  the  production  of  a  complete  line 
of  domestic,  industrial  and  commercial  stokers,  followed  shortly  by 
the  addition  of  a  line  of  oil  burners,  oil-fired  furnaces,  Field  baromet- 
ric draft  controls  and  other  items  of  heating  equipment.  All  of  this 
required  more  buildings,  more  engineering  talent,  more  personnel  of 
all  types.  Mass  production  methods  were  set  up  in  many  departments. 
New  buildings  were  built  at  the  rate  of  one  a  year,  and  in  1937  the 
executive  and  sales  offices  were  moved  from  the  crowded  upstairs 
quarters  downtown,  to  new  and  modern  offices  adjoining  the  plant,  or 
to  a  newly  constructed  laboratory  and  engineering  building. 

World  War  II  had  not  yet  started  when  the  attention  of  officials 
in  Washington  was  called  to  the  facilities  and  personnel  available  in 
the   Conco   Engineering  Works   plant.    The  Marine   Corps  placed   an 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         275 


order  for  pioneer  work  to  be  done  on  a  five-gallon  steel  container  to 
store  and  transport  gasoline  and  other  liquids  for  the  expanding  serv- 
ices. From  that  first  work  done  in  1939  there  was  developed  a  con- 
tainer which  was  produced  in  this  plant  almost  without  interruption, 
for  almost  15  years. 

The  can  production  which  was  started  first  in  Mendota  provided 
the  armed  forces  with  the  first  satisfactory  container.  The  production 
line  that  was  set  up,  the  special  seaming  and  welding  machines  that 
were  designed  and  built  by  Conco,  were  duplicated  by  numerous  other 
plants  set  up  in  the  United  States,  in  England,  in  Egypt  and  Arabia. 
Conco-trained  personnel  were  sent  overseas  to  supervise  the  construc- 
tion and  operation  of  these  plants.  Near  the  close  of  the  war  Conco 
was  called  upon  to  design  and  produce  the  first  all-aluminum  can  for 
the  Marine  Corps. 

Conco's  war  work  was  not  limited  to  five-gallon  containers. 
Conco  cranes  were  produced  around  the  clock  for  war  plants  and 
bases  all  over  the  world.  Conco  was  first  to  answer  the  call  for  pro- 
duction of  an  all-steel  powder  container  for  155  mm.  shells,  getting 
into  full  production  in  less  than  six  weeks  time.  Conco  employment 
rose  to  over  800.  The  plant  was  in  operation  24  hours  a  day.  A  sub- 
station, larger  than  that  required  by  the  rest  of  the  City  of  Mendota, 
was  built  to  supply  electricity  to  the  plant.  Conco  was,  and  still  is, 
the  largest  user  of  water  pumped  by  the  City  of  Mendota. 

The  cessation  of  hostilities  found  the  company  ready  to  return 
to  civilian  production.  The  aluminum  container  was  still  to  be  pro- 
duced. Cranes  and  hoists  were  in  great  demand  for  plants  returning  to 
civilian  production.  Oil  and  gas  burners  and  furnaces  replaced  stokers 
and  modern  production  lines  were  set  up  to  produce  them  in  large 
quantities.  Conco  was  a  pioneer  in  the  development  of  a  satisfactory 
counterflow  furnace  for  the  perimeter  type  of  heating,  which  is  now 
recognized  as  the  most  satisfactory  type  of  heating  plant  for  the  mod- 
ern, low-cost,  slab  or  ground  type  of  homes. 


PRINTERS  OF  MAGAZINES 

A  most  successful  newcomer  is  The  Wayside  Press.  It  is  not 
newly  arrived  in  point  of  time,  but  is  just  now  over  the  horizon  in 
terms  of  payroll,  product  and  progress.  Its  predecessors  in  unbroken 
chain  go  back  to  1892  when,  under  the  sponsorship  of  the  Western 
Advent  Christian  Publishing  association,  it  was  organized  and  began 
printing  religious  literature  under  the  name  of  Our  Hope  Press,  an 


276 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


adaptation  of  the  title  of  its  original  publication,  "Our  Hope  and  Life 
in  Christ".  This  concern  moved  over  the  years  from  one  location  to 
another  within  the  city,  under  the  aegis  of  a  series  of  managers  among 
whom  were  Roger  A.  Watkins  who,  during  the  World  War  I  period, 
installed  there  the  first  Linotype  composing  machine  in  the  city. 

Rev.  Fim  Murra  came  in  as  manager  in  1919,  remaining  here 
until  the  depression  years.  It  was  he  who  promoted  and  built  the 
present  modern  plant  on  Washington  road  in  1927.  Reverend  Murra 
was  active  in  all  civic  affairs,  having  been  one  of  the  charter  members 
of  our  Kiwanis  Club  which  he  served  as  secretary  for  a  number  of 
years. 

Our  Hope  Press  was  bought  by  H.  D.  Conkey  Company  in  1930. 
Operations  were  continued  under  the  management  of  their  W.  G. 
Van  Etten  and  W.  F.  Colson,  the  name  being  changed  to  Conco  Press. 
In  1931  Kenneth  B.  Butler,  a  former  editor  of  the  Mendota  Sun- 
Bulletin,  came  into  the  organization.  At  about  the  same  time  the  com- 
pany secured  the  first  of  its  publication  contracts  which  started  it  on 
a  period  of  expansion  which  continues  to  this  day. 

In  1941  the  Conco  Press  was  bought  by  Mr.  Butler  and  a  group 
of  associates,  renamed  The  Wayside  Press.  Under  their  management  it 
has  prospered  exceedingly.  The  number  of  employees  has  increased  from 
15  in  1931  to  in  excess  of  200  today,  including  affiliated  enterprises. 
They  print  and  mail  out  35  magazines  and  periodicals  among  which  are 
P.  E.  0.  Record,  Pythian  Sister  Tidings,  International  Rebekah,  Inter- 
national Altrusan,  Illinois  Medical  Journal,  Agricultural  Leaders  Digest, 
American  Artisan,  Heating,  Piping  and  Air  Conditioning,  Industrial 
Marketing,  Hospital  Management,  Chemical  Processing,  Food  Process- 
ing, Production  Engineering  and  Management,  and  many  others.  These 
publications  mailed  through  our  local  post  office  account  for  70% 
of  its  revenue  and  are  given  credit  for  promoting  it  to  first-class  rating. 
Largely  as  a  result  of  Wayside  Press  business  the  Mendota  Post  Office 
in  1952  had  receipts  greater  than  any  other  post  office  in  the  county. 

Associated  to  a  degree  with  the  printing  establishment  are  adver- 
tising and  public  relations  services,  Kenneth  B.  Butler  &  Associates, 
with  modern  offices  just  across  the  highway  from  the  plant.  James  E. 
Gallagher  is  executive  director.  The  various  activities  also  have  offices 
in  Chicago  where  Mr.  Butler  spends  part  of  his  time,  lecturing  during 
the  winter  months  at  Northwestern  University  Medill  School  of  Jour- 
nalism. 

Butler  Typo-Design  Research  Center  publishes  handbooks  on 
magazine  typography  and  counsels  dozens  of  prominent  national 
magazines  on  problems  of  layout  and  typography.  George  Likeness 
is  executive  director. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


277 


H.  D.  HUME  COMES  TO  MENDOTA 

The  largest  manufacturer  of  farm  implements,  a  personable  fel- 
low by  the  name  of  Horace  D.  Hume,  came  here  about  15  years  ago 
with  a  bit  of  capital  and  a  head  full  of  ideas. 

The  beginning  of  the  H.  D.  Hume  company  goes  back  to  the  year 
1929.  The  founders,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hume,  were  operating  an  auto- 
mobile agency  and  garage,  selling  farm  machinery  as  a  side  line.  This 
business  was  located  among  the  hills  of  Washington  in  the  rich  farming 
community  of  Garfield,  where  in  addition  to  wheat,  seed  peas  had  be- 
come a  very  profitable  crop. 

It  was  at  this  time  the  threshers  were  on  their  way  out,  and  com- 
bines were  becoming  the  popular  method  of  harvesting.  In  his  imple- 
ment business  Mr.  Hume  met  a  great  deal  of  sales  resistance  to  the 
combine  as  this  machine  did  not  cut  close  enough  to  the  ground  to 
harvest  the  ripe  peas. 

He  talked  this  problem  over  with  a  farmer  friend,  J.  E.  Love,  to 
whom  he  had  sold  a  combine,  and  together  they  invented  the  floating 
cutter  bar,  an  accessory  to  the  combine  for  the  harvest  of  peas. 

Knowing  that  many  farmers  would  want  this  type  of  equipment, 
Mr.  Hume  and  Mr.  Love  pooled  their  interests  and  formed  the  Hume- 
Love  company,  starting  operation  in  a  small  plant  at  Garfield,  Wash- 
ington in  1931.  Although  the  country  was  feeling  the  depression, 
these  two  men  worked  long  hours  both  in  building  this  cutter  bar  and 
in  assisting  their  customers  in  the  installation  and  making  the  proper 
adjustments  to  the  combines. 

They  soon  found  that  they  needed  a  different  type  of  reel  on  the 
combine  in  order  to  make  their  cutter  bar  work  more  efficiently.  Late 
in  1932  they  hit  upon  the  tined-finger  idea  and  action-bat  reel.  This 
reel  found  immediate  favor  among  the  farmers,  not  only  in  the  harvest- 
ing of  peas,  but  also  in  the  harvesting  of  wheat,  as  it  would  pick  up 
and  save  their  grain  no  matter  how  badly  lodged  or  twisted  the  crop 
was. 

The  canners  of  green  peas  in  the  adjoining  territory  saw  the  im- 
provements which  this  small  but  progressive  company  had  made  in  the 
harvesting  of  grain,  and  they  inquired  if  something  could  be  done  about 
the  green  pea  harvest.  True  to  their  inventive  ability,  Mr.  Hume  and 
Mr.  Love  fitted  up  a  special  windrow  harvester  and  made  a  successful 
demonstration  in  the  green  pea  harvest  at  Dayton,  Washington  in  1933. 

In  the  fall  of  that  same  year  Mr.  Hume  traveled  East  to  Champaign, 
Illinois,  where  with  the  aid  of  an  implement  dealer,  he  demonstrated 
the  cutter  bar  and  reel  in  that  great  soybean-growing  area. 

278         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


The  demand  became  so  great  for  this  equipment  that  on  July  10, 
1935  the  founders  incorporated  the  business  and  added  more  producing 
capacity. 

Problems  continued  to  be  brought  to  these  inventors  and  they  were 
adequately  solved.  The  "Mitchell  No.  1"  and  "No.  2"  Lifter  Guards 
were  produced  in  1936,  The  "Pickup-Loader"  and  "TractoR-Rower" 
in  1937. 

In  1939  the  Minnesota  Valley  Canning  Company  of  Le  Sueur, 
Minnesota,  bought  the  first  TractoR-Rower  for  the  Midwest.  Mr.  Hume 
spent  considerable  time  that  year  acquainting  them  with  the  operation 
of  this  machine.  He  also  traveled  extensively  in  the  soybean  territory 
introducing  the  Hume-Love  Reel. 

By  1940  so  much  business  was  coming  from  the  Midwest  that  Mr. 
Hume  decided  to  establish  a  branch  plant  there.  The  Hume  family 
traveled  with  a  house  trailer,  living  for  a  time  at  one  place  and  another 
looking  for  a  suitable  location.  When  they  arrived  in  Mendota  they 
soon  decided  that  their  quest  was  over  —  "The  World's  Greatest  Little 
City"  was  the  place  for  their  factory  branch. 

A  building  was  rented  on  Main  Street  and  the  original  crew  of 
three  began  operation  on  January  1,  1941.  At  first  the  work  was  main- 
ly assembling  the  parts  which  were  produced  in  the  Garfield  plant. 
Soon  the  company  bought  the  rented  building  and  the  adjoining  build- 
ing, and  production  was  commenced. 

As  the  two  regions  where  the  plants  were  operating  had  so  many 
dissimilar  problems,  and  it  was  difficult  to  operate  both  with  the  man- 
agement personnel  available,  the  two  original  partners  and  principal 
stockholders  decided  to  separate.  So  at  the  close  of  the  year  1943, 
Mr.  Love  bought  the  Garfield  plant  and  Mr.  Hume  the  Mendota  plant. 
They  agreed  to  operate  under  the  patents  obtained  previous  to  the 
separation,  but  otherwise  were  entirely  separate.  Thence  the  H.  D. 
Hume  Company  was  born. 


Mr.  Hume's  obsessing  idea  was  to  produce  a  TractoR-Rower  which 
had  a  universal  frame  to  fit  all  tractors.  This  was  realized  in  1944. 
In  1945  the  first  experimental  Cut-Lode  was  produced.  This  machine 
cut  the  crop  and  loaded  in  one  operation,  and  being  used  for  cutting 
spinach,  has  become  a  popular  item  in  the  production  of  baby  food. 

In  1946  a  pull-type  loader  was  added  to  the  production  line.  This 
completed  the  now  famous  Hume  Two-Stage  Method  of  Green  Crop 
Harvesting.  All  this  time  the  company  was  showing  a  steady  increase, 
adding  more  floor  space  and  more  employees.     In   1950  the  Hydro- 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP         279 


Rigid  Disk  Frame  went  into  production,  and  in  1951  production  on 
the  Perfo  Crop  Guard  began. 

In  1952  the  Company  added  to  its  list  of  products,  the  Hume  Wire 
Winder,  which  is  manufactured  by  another  Mendota  firm. 

The  first  foreign  order  was  received  from  Africa  in  1935.  Since 
then  the  H.  D.  Hume  Company  has  made  shipments  to  over  40  different 
countries  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Incidently  they  are  still  shipping 
to  the  first  foreign  customer,  J.  P.  Frendo,  Casablanca,  Morocco,  Africa. 

At  the  present  time,  the  H.  D.  Hume  company  has  approximately 
100  employees  and  are  using  130,000  sq.  ft.  of  floor  space.  Constant 
improvements  in  product  manufacturing  is  creating  the  possibility  of 
wider  use,  resulting  in  increasing  employment  and  growing  sales  op- 
portunities. 


INDUSTRIES  LINKED  TO  AGRICULTURE 

Our  smallest  business  making  things  for  the  farmer  is  the  Wire 
Winder  concern,  where  its  owner  and  proprietor,  Paul  A.  Schmidt  and 
his  son,  Ira,  build  an  attachment  for  farm  tractors  which  takes  much 
of  the  drudgery  out  of  the  job  of  stringing  the  miles  and  miles  of  barb- 
wire  fences  which  surround  and  divide  our  farms.  Where  fencing  is 
to  be  removed,  a  frequent  need  in  a  farming  community,  their  device 
can  be  used  in  re-winding  the  wire  on  the  original  spool  or  drum. 

In  Triumph  suburb,  Ray  Kreiser,  in  his  wholly  owned  Speedmill 
Manufacturing  company,  makes  a  fine  line  of  portable  burr  mills  for 
grinding  feed.  Mounted  on  rubber  tired  wheels  they  can  be  moved 
over  the  highway  at  maximum  speed  attached  to  a  car  or  pickup.  In 
operation  they  are  driven  by  power  take-off  from  any  of  the  conven- 
tional makes  of  tractor.  Ray  also  makes  a  line  of  portable  spiral  convey- 
ors in  lengths  up  to  40  feet,  used  for  hoisting  corn  and  feed  into  over- 
head storage  bins.  His  daughter,  Eileen,  manages  the  office,  while  Mrs. 
Kreiser  accompanies  her  husband  in  their  house  trailer  when  they  show 
their  line  of  machinery  each  year  at  the  surrounding  county  and  state 
fairs.  The  uninitiated  might  wonder  why  it  is  that  corn  must  be  ground. 
True,  cattle  and  hogs  are  equipped  with  pretty  good  teeth,  which  served 
their  purpose  with  the  old-style  open-pollinated  corn.  But  this  hybrid 
corn,  now  universally  planted  through  the  middle  west,  and  which  has 
many  superior  qualities,  is  so  hard  that  livestock  can't  chew  it  unless  it 
first  be  broken  up  in  a  grinder.     As  usual,  the  rose  has  its  thorn. 

One  of  our  local  industries  has  just  about  solved  the  problem  inso- 


280         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


far  as  it  relates  to  storage,  on  the  farm,  of  corn,  beans  and  small  grain. 
Early  in  the  thirties  Henry  C.  Rose  and  Duane  Miller  came  here  with 
their  Illinois  Concrete  Crib  company,  an  infant  industry  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  concrete  building  blocks  and  a  special  concrete 
stave,  or  ventilated  slab,  used  in  the  construction  of  their  concrete  corn 
cribs.  They  and  their  company  have  prospered  over  the  years.  Their 
plant  and  office  help,  with  erection  crews,  numbers  about  30.  The  coun- 
tryside is  pretty  well  spotted  with  their  cribs.  They  are  so  thoroughly 
mechanized  that  loading  and  unloading  of  ear  corn,  shelling  and  grind- 
ing can  be  done  with  the  press  of  a  button.  Often  one  of  these  cribs 
makes  it  possible  for  a  large  feeder  to  dispense  with  the  services  of  two 
or  three  men,  thus  enabling  him  to  gain  back  his  capital  investment 
over  a  short  period  of  years. 

Richard  Phalen  and  his  Mendota  Building  Service  have  also  been 
quite  active  in  recent  years  in  supplying  our  farms  with  temporary 
metal  cribs  and  with  Quonset  and  Butler  type  machine  sheds. 

We  lavish  unlimited  time  and  attention  to  the  care  and  feeding 
of  farm  animals.  The  prize-class  poultry  and  livestock  on  our  modern 
farms  would  not  admit  kinship  with  the  scrawny  creatures  of  100  years 
ago.  This  change  is  no  accident.  Breeding  accounts  for  much  of  the 
difference,  but  diet  and  the  preparation  of  special  feeds  have  perhaps 
done  more  than  any  other  factors  within  recent  years  in  the  promotion 
of  the  well  being  of  our  farm  animal  population.  The  business  of  pre- 
paring, combining  and  making  special  feeds,  not  only  for  different 
species,  but  for  various  and  specific  ends  and  purposes,  has  become 
a  major  industry  nationally  and  locally  as  well.  Time  was  when 
chicken  feed  was  chicken  feed  and  they  were  lucky  to  get  it.  Mostly 
they  got  table  scraps.  But  not  anymore.  First  there  must  be  varieties 
of  chick  starter  mash,  a  sort  of  poultry  pablum.  Then  they  go  up  the 
ladder  to  the  feeds  prepared  to  suit  their  special  end  in  life.  This  they 
must  eat  to  be  broilers,  this  to  be  fryers,  this  if  they  want  to  be  stewing 
hens.  While  if  eggs  be  the  goal,  they  get  something  different  yet.  So 
it  goes  throughout  the  farm  animal  kingdom. 


A  MODERN  FEED  MILL 

Fifty-two  employees  at  our  feed  mill,  which  was  built  several  years 
ago  by  the  Illinois  Farm  Supply  company,  keep  busy  around  the  clock 
making  a  complete  line  of  swine,  poultry  and  cattle  feeds  which  they 
ship  out  at  the  rate  of  5,000  bags  a  day  —  not  paper  bags  but  100 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP         281 


pound  bags.  Their  fleet  of  trucks  puts  on  a  million  miles  a  year  de- 
livering their  output  to  50  central  and  northern  Illinois  counties.  This 
firm  is  owned  cooperatively  by  Illinois  Farm  Bureau  members.  Their 
feeds  contain  approximately  40  different  ingredients,  such  as  ground 
corn,  ground  oats,  soy  bean  meal,  cottonseed  meal,  vitamin  "A",  vita- 
min "B",  antibiotics  and  this  and  that,  all  as  formulated  by  acknowl- 
edged animal  and  poultry  nutritionists.  Their  sources  extend  from  this 
country  to  Australia,  Argentina  and  Germany. 

Fasco  Mills,  owned  and  operated  by  Arthur  Zimmerman  in  the 
suburb  of  Welland,  puts  out  a  highly  successful  and  widely  recom- 
mended line  of  feeds,  as  do  also  a  number  of  our  local  and  surround- 
ing grain  elevators. 

In  the  normal  course  of  events  our  hogs  and  cattle  grow,  thrive 
and  go  to  their  rendezvous  with  Messrs.  Swift  and  Armour.  This  is  not 
necessarily  the  course.  Age  and  accident  take  their  toll  among  domestic 
animals  as  well  as  their  owners.  Lightning  continues  to  strike.  Dis- 
ease is  an  ogre  never  quite  conquered  or  understood.  The  animals 
cannot  talk.  We,  with  our  veterinaries  in  attendance,  must  therefore 
do  the  best  we  can.  But  no  sooner  do  we  get  Brucellosis  pretty  well 
under  control  than  up  jumps  Vassicular  Exanthema  about  which  no  one 
knows  anything.  Lord  help  us,  we  don't  even  know  how  to  pronounce 
it.  But  a  man  can't  quit.  And  so  it  is  that  our  farmers  continue  to 
pour  out  their  time  and  their  dollars  in  a  continuing  gamble  that  sooner 
or  later  our  men  of  science  will  learn  how  to  control  each  new  evil. 
Yet  in  the  struggle  thousands  of  animals  and  millions  of  dollars  an- 
nually are  lost.  Even  with  the  help  of  our  veterinarians,  who  are  highly 
skilled  in  their  profession,  and  with  the  aid  of  serums,  vaccines,  and 
tests  without  number,  and  despite  the  insight  given  by  thousands  of 
post  mortems,  it  is  not  too  unusual  for  a  farmer  to  lose  300  sheep  or 
500  pigs  or  a  dozen  prime  steers  within  the  space  of  a  few  days  or 
weeks,  never  knowing  the  cause. 

Scientists  and  specialists  in  city  water  supplies  tell  us  that  the  first 
requirement  for  drinking  water  is  that  it  be  potable.  It  should  taste 
good,  be  pleasing  to  the  palate.  An  obvious  parallel  may  be  found  in 
the  prerequisites  for  standard  farm  atmosphere.  The  countryside 
should  smell  good.  It  should  have  the  traditional  and  expected  aromas 
of  clover  and  new  mown  hay,  not  that  of  carrion. 

Thus  it  is  that  a  rendering  works  or  disposal  service,  ever  on  call, 
is  an  essential  adjunct  to  our  farming  operations.  Within  our  im- 
mediate vicinity  somewhere  around  20,000  animals  each  year  go,  not 
to  the  packing  house,  but  to  the  disposal  industry.  Many  are  cared 
for  by  Jerome  Sondgeroth  at  his  plant  just  east  of  the  city.    The  serv- 

282         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


ice  in  this  business  is  so  efficient  that  a  high  degree  of  economic  sal- 
vage is  possible.  Wool,  hides,  tallow  and  other  products  are  secured, 
while  the  residue,  known  as  tankage,  is  an  important  source  of  protein 
supplement. 

In  the  field  of  processing,  our  local  efforts  are  somewhat  less  di- 
versified than  one  might  wish.  They  evidence,  nevertheless,  a  definite 
trend  in  such  particular.  Though  not  widely  or,  perhaps,  properly 
famed  as  a  center  of  production  for  milk  and  eggs,  the  aggregate  effect 
on  our  local  industrial  payroll  is  significant. 


The  Great  Atlantic  and  Pacific  Tea  Company  (A.  &  P.  to  you) 
employs  a  force  of  41  who  candle  2>y2  to  4  million  dozen  eggs  each 
year,  approximately  1/3  of  which  come  from  our  own  territory. 

Jack  Costello's  local  creamery  is  supplied  by  milk  routes  through 
this  area  which  bring  into  his  plant  50,000  pounds  of  milk  a  day. 
80,000  pounds  of  cottage  cheese  is  produced  weekly.  Ten  people  are 
employed. 

While  one  would  hardly  consider  walnut  trees  to  be  a  crop,  still 
there  are  a  few  in  almost  every  woodlot  and  along  our  creeks  and 
branches.  By  travelling  many  thousands  of  miles  each  year  George 
Van  Meter  and  his  associates  in  the  Mendota  Saw  Mill  Company,  con- 
trive to  fell,  collect,  saw,  steam  and  ship  out  an  impressive  total  of  a 
half  million  board  feet  per  year  of  walnut  lumber.  About  15%  goes 
into  furniture,  the  remainder  being  used  in  gunstocks. 

Among  our  thriving  industries  arrived  within  recent  years  is  our 
Mendota  Trouser  Company,  brought  here  about  a  dozen  years  ago 
by  the  Lauters,  father,  lamentably  deceased  only  a  short  time  past, 
and  his  boys,  Jerry,  Dan  and  Harold,  who  are  carrying  on  the  business 
of  making  a  fine  line  of  men's  slacks,  sportswear,  top  coats.  They 
employ  65  people  at  their  modern  plant,  which  turns  out  100,000  to 
125,000  pairs  of  slacks,  annually,  with  other  products  in  proportion. 


CALPACK  COMES  TO   MENDOTA 

About  1949  the  California  Packing  Corporation,  Del  Monte  brand, 
built  their  modern  and  efficient  packing  plant  just  east  of  town.  It  is 
said  to  be  the  most  up-to-date  plant  of  its  type  in  the  land.  At  present 
they  process  green  peas,  sweet  corn  and  lima  beans,  though  it  is  said 
that  their  over-all  plan  provides  for  future  addition  of  an  asparagus 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


283 


line  and  a  tomato  line.  They  lease  approximately  10,000  acres  of  sur- 
rounding farm  land,  which  they  operate  with  their  own  help,  who,  in 
the  winter  season,  are  kept  busy  feeding  pea  vines  and  silage  to  thou- 
sands of  feeder  cattle,  bought  by  the  company  each  year  to  consume 
that  which  is  left  from  their  packing  operations.  Local  employees 
vary  in  number  from  150  to  1,150,  depending  on  the  season.  The 
plant  has  a  capacity  of  30,000  cases  a  day,  each  case  containing  24 
No.  10,  8  oz.  or  No.  303  cans. 

Every  operation  and  process  in  this  organization  places  emphasis 
on  labor-saving  machinery,  on  the  one  hand,  and  a  quality  product 
on  the  other.  Sweet  corn  is  now  picked  with  mechanical  pickers,  a 
modification  of  those  familiar  for  years,  in  the  harvesting  of  field  corn. 
Peas  and  lima  beans  are  mowed  by  a  reel  machine,  manufactured 
without  exception  we  hope  by  our  Mr.  Hume,  after  which  they  are 
hauled,  vine  and  all,  in  hay  racks  to  a  battery  of  weird  machines  re- 
sembling enormous  ice  cream  freezers  lying  on  their  sides  and  raised 
about  ten  feet  in  the  air.  There  the  vines,  with  pods  attached,  are  fed 
into  the  mouth  of  these  contraptions,  called  "viners",  through  which 
the  vines  are  rotated,  paddled,  and  spanked  to  such  an  extent  that 
they  are  forced  to  give  up  every  pea  and  lima  bean,  emerging  and 
being  stacked  at  the  nether  end  as  winter  forage  for  the  feeder  cattle. 

The  lovely  peas  and  limas  fall  into  boxes  in  the  bottom  of  the 
machine  from  which  they  are  taken  to  the  packing  plant.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  the  over-all  time  from  mowing  of  the  vine  to  final  sealing 
in  the  can  rarely  takes  longer  than  two  hours.  To  the  home  gardener, 
accustomed  to  picking  and  shucking  a  few  bushels  of  peas  and  limas 
each  season  the  hard  way,  the  spectacle  of  one  of  these  ultra-modern 
viners  in  action  is  most  depressing.  Here  the  finished  product  rolls  out 
wholesale  without  a  lame  back  or  a  sore  thumb  in  the  entire  organiza- 
tion. 

It  is  not  hard  to  see  that  this  company  and  its  payroll  mean  a 
lot  to  Mendota.  Our  more  significant  gain  in  the  long  run,  however, 
is  and  will  continue  to  be  by  reason  of  the  high  calibre  of  their  per- 
sonnel. Calpack,  as  it  is  known  for  short,  has  brought  in  men  and 
women  who  have  taken  their  place  in  all  community  activities,  who 
not  only  work  here,  but  live  here,  having  adopted  us  as  we 
have  adopted  them. 


The  infant  of  the  group  Heppner  Mfg.  Co.,  Mendota  Division, 
has  brought  to  our  town  within  the  past  six  months  a  business  which 
makes  radio  and  television  parts,  mainly  transformers  and  coils.    It  is 


284 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


run  by  Myron  Heppner  who  at  present  commutes  by  plane  from 
Round  Lake,  but  who  plans  to  move  his  family  here  in  the  near  future. 
An  anticipated  employment  of  100  and  the  nature  of  their  product 
makes  them  a  welcome  addition  to  our  group  of  industrialists.  They 
are  presently  located  in  the  Kakusha  Park  Pavilion,  which  they  have 
leased  and  extensively  remodeled. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         285 


B 


HOW'S  DUSINESS? 


N 


OT  the  least  unique  of  the  many  businesses  which  have  flour- 
ished or  languished  in  Mendota  was  the  old  Chinese  laundry  run  by 
two  Chinese  gentlemen  in  an  old  wooden  building  on  Illinois  avenue 
next  door  to  the  Fitch  laundry. 

These  Chinese  carried  on  in  a  quiet  way,  with  bundles  going  in 
and  coming  out.  Laundry  slips  were  written  with  fascinating  Chinese 
characters  done  by  brush  on  little  colored  slips. 

Not  many  businesses  can  boast  the  patronization  of  a  competitor's 
family,  but  the  two  Chinese  proprietors  often  played  host  to  the  small 
daughter  of  the  laundry  owner  next  door.  Little  Faith  Fitch  many 
times  visited  the  competing  laundry  to  get  soda  crackers,  much  against 
her  parents'  wishes. 

The  Chinese  left  about  the  time  of  the  depression,  but  Fitch's 
laundry,  now  co-owned  by  Faith  and  her  husband,  Arden  Campbell, 
is  still  very  much  a  part  of  Mendota.  The  firm  began  in  1909  in  the 
spot  where  Hall's  clothing  store  is  now  located.  D.  A.  Fitch,  Mrs. 
Campbell's  father,  started  the  laundry  and  operated  it  until  he  died 
in  1943,  when  the  Campbells  took  over.  Spring  rains  bring  to  mind 
the  early  horse  and  buggy  days  of  the  laundry  when  the  delivery 
wagon,  loaded  with  freshly  laundered  clothes,  often  bogged  down  in 
the  muddy  roads. 

Business  houses  have  always  been  a  mark  of  the  progressiveness 
of  a  town.    In  the  early  days  the  business  houses  were  on  the  East 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


287 


side  and  grouped  about  the  railroad  depot,  spreading  gradually  from 
Sixth  street  and  Main  street  to  Washington,  Illinois,  and  Jefferson. 

Cities  used  to  inventory  their  business  places  and  Mendota  in 
1870  boasted  of  five  hotels,  two  or  three  public  halls,  two  grist  mills, 
four  grain  warehouses,  two  nurseries,  two  cheese  factories,  two  news- 
papers, three  restaurants,  three  agricultural  implement  dealers,  five 
barber  shops,  seven  blacksmith  shops,  four  butchers,  twelve  boots 
and  shoes,  four  carriage  factories,  two  cigar  manufacturers,  and  nine 
clothiers. 

Twelve  groceries  supplied  the  foodstuffs,  and  four  stores  carried 
hardware  while  five  sold  stoves  and  tinware.  There  was  a  hoopskirt 
and  corset  factory  .  .  .  even  a  vinegar  works. 

Strictly  a  horse  and  buggy  era  business  was  that  of  the  harness 
maker.  The  Schmitz  brothers,  John  and  Bertram,  harnessed  the  town's 
horses  from  1855-58,  were  out  of  business  during  the  war,  and  set 
up  shop  again  in  1867.  John  carried  on  alone  after  '76  and  two  years 
later  joined  a  man  named  Reiter  to  carry  on  the  trade.  George  F.  Kidd 
was  a  post-war  competitor. 

A  city  directory  was  published  in  1903  by  a  Princeton  firm. 
Nothing  ever  published  contained  more  typographical  errors  than  this 
one  ...  it  positively  murdered  the  spelling  of  names  of  most  of  our 
citizens.  It  shows  that  among  our  business  houses  of  50  years  ago  were 
Potter  Brothers  dry  goods  store  (succeeded  later  by  Parks  Dry  Goods 
Co.)  and  another  enterprising  dry  goods  merchant,  T.  F.  Brett. 

Photographers  were  R.  J.  Dean,  G.  M.  Crusius,  and  G.  J.  Keller. 
Rudolph  Witte  was  a  tailor,  as  were  Fred  Mueller  (still  going,  62  years 
in  business)  and  Otto  F.  Shide.  Fred  Wershinski  handled  ladies  ready 
to  wear.  His  business  was  suceeded  by  the  Delia  Allen  Shop,  operated 
by  Delia  Wershinski  Allen  and  Robert  Allen,  a  flourishing  business  in 
the  20's. 

James  A.  Dubbs  operated  the  Warner  House,  now  the  Ellis  Hotel, 
and  he  also  managed  the  Germania  Opera  House.  Hoffman  and  Wittgan 
were  tinsmiths,  a  firm  succeeded  by  Fred  and  John  Wittgan,  a  firm  still 
in  existence  under  the  Wittgan  name.  Ed  Heiman  operated  a  news- 
stand.   J.  M.  Momeny  was  a  real  estate  agent. 

As  automobiles  replaced  horse  and  buggy,  oil  stations  sprang 
up.  One  of  the  oldest  stations  still  in  operation  is  the  Central  Oil 
Co.  on  Jefferson  street  and  Illinois  avenue.  Its  ownership  passed 
from  E.  E.  Holliston  (who  opened  it  in  1922)  to  0.  C.  Weitzel  (1925) 
to  its  present  owners,  Harold  Sonntag  and  Leo  Hochstatter,  in  1937. 

Dorsey  C.  Andress,  James  Clarkson,  and  John  Hartan  dispensed 
coal  to  townsmen  before  1900.  In  1910  George  Feik  began  to  sell 
coal  in  a  building  somewhat  south  of  the  Feik  Fuel  company's  present 

288         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


building  (opened  in  1913)  on  Main  street.  His  son,  Elmer,  began 
working  for  him  in  1911,  and  became  a  partner  in  1916.  Those  were 
horse  and  buggy  days  for  the  coal  dealers,  too,  and  when  the  Feik 
barn  burned  and  three  of  the  four  horses  were  killed,  the  loss  was 
not  only  financial,  but  also  sentimental.  The  firm  became  the  Feik 
Fuel  company  in  1920  when  the  father  died  and  Elmer  became  the 
owner. 

Clinite's  Wallpaper  and  Paint  Store,  one  of  the  oldest  businesses 
in  town  which  has  retained  the  same  name  through  the  years,  opened 
on  the  site  of  the  present  post  office  in  1899  by  S.  W.  and  A.  B. 
Clinite.  The  latter  has  been  the  owner  since  his  brother's  death  in 
1943. 


BOOTS  AND  SHOES 

Today  we  use  the  phrase,  "Baby  needs  shoes,"  but  50  to  100 
years  ago  the  folks  shopped  for  "boots  and  shoes."  Two  early  boot 
and  shoe  tradesmen  were  Jacob  Fritz  (1857)  and  William  F.  Pit- 
stick  (co-owner  of  the  Pitstick  &  Harbaugh  Boot  &  Shoe  Shop  begin- 
ning in  1879) .  Rudolf  Holdenrid  who  today  operates  his  shoe  store  on 
Jefferson  street,  came  from  Germany  in  1923  to  repair  shoes  for  the 
Huss  &  Bush  Boot  &  Shoe  store.  Two  years  later  he  began  his  own 
business  in  the  basement  of  the  Faber  hotel.  Mrs.  Holdenrid  recalls 
the  many  times  in  those  early  years  when  she  and  her  husband  who 
were  only  beginning  to  understand  English,  coaxed  each  other  to  wait 
on  customers  because  each  was  afraid  he  couldn't  understand  the 
customer.  In  1935  Holdenrid  bought  the  building  in  which  he  is  now 
located,  and  in  1938  bought  out  his  former  employer  to  include  the 
sale  of  shoes  in  his  business.  A  four-day  sale  of  13,000  pairs  of  shoes 
marked  the  beginning  of  his  shoe  store.  Fritz  Shoe  store  and  later 
Fritz  and  Hessenberger  was  another  old  shoe  store.  Henry  Stenger 
ran  a  shoe  store  for  many  years. 

Although  there  is  no  connection  between  the  sale  of  jewelry  and 
shoes  unless  it  is  that  both  can  be  termed  accessories,  Jacob  Kohl,  one 
of  Mendota's  earliest  jewelers,  always  operated  his  store  in  the  same 
building  with  a  shoe  store.  In  1860  when  Kohl  came  here  from  Ger- 
many, he  opened  his  shop  with  the  shoe  dealer,  Higgins,  on  Washing- 
ton street.  Many  pieces  of  silver  used  in  Mendota  homes  today  were 
bought  in  the  old  Kohl  store.  Later  the  jeweler  moved  to  Main  street, 
in  the  same  store  with  Huss  &  Bush.  The  sale  of  silver,  especially 
silver  service  sets,  and  wine  goblets  and  even  cups  and  saucers,  often 
for  large  silver  wedding  anniversary  celebrations  was  a  large  part  of 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         289 


his  business.  As  a  sideline,  he  pierced  many  a  dainty  ear  for  young 
ladies  who  at  18  could  probably  be  given  the  customary  diamond 
earrings. 

Munson  jewelers  was  another  landmark  for  many  years.  A  brass 
plate  still  adorns  the  sidewalk  on  Washington  near  Main. 

Time  was  when  a  body  could  get  himself  fitted  out  from  head 
to  toe  and  get  his  groceries,  too — all  at  the  same  place,  the  old-fash- 
ioned general  store.  Philip  Erlenborn  in  1858  advertised  "hardware, 
groceries,  crockery,  window  glass,  etc,"  in  his  general  store.  His 
son-in-law,  Charles  John,  followed  in  Erlenborn's  professional  foot- 
steps in  1866  with  his  own  general  store.  Samuel  Fernberg,  a  German 
by  birth,  who  had  travelled  West  as  a  peddler  with  his  wares  on  his 
back,  opened  a  general  store  in  1856.  His  son-in-law,  Freedman,  and 
later  his  grandson  operated  the  business  almost  until  the  turn  of  the 
century.  One  of  the  earliest  settlers,  Franz  Meisenbach,  displayed  boots 
and  shoes,  groceries  and  clothing  beginning  in  1853  and  later  started 
the  first  German  paper  in  LaSalle  county,  the  Mendota  Democrat. 

One  of  the  early  dry  goods  stores  was  run  by  William  and  George 
Black — another  by  William  and  Tom  Scott,  brothers  of  Robert  Scott 
who  founded  the  store  of  Carson,  Pirie,  Scott  and  Company  in  Chi- 
cago. Mrs.  Mary  R.  Woods  Lawrence  tells  of  standing  on  a  counter  in 
the  Black  store  and  reciting  "the  old  speckled  hen"  before  an  audience 
of  clerks  and  shoppers.  A  new  fad,  the  hoop  skirt,  was  just  being 
displayed,  and  it  was  given  to  her  as  a  reward. 

THE  START  OF  "THE  KITCH" 

'Way  back  in  the  post-war  period  Mendotans  were  satisfying 
their  sweet  tooth  at  the  local  confectionery.  Ed.  F.  Higgins  ran  a 
sweet  shop  then  and  sold  books,  stationery,  and  cigars  as  well.  The 
"Kitch"  now  serves  as  a  popular  confectionery.  The  Candy  Kitchen, 
its  full  name,  opened  in  1911  under  the  management  of  Stasinos,  and 
Theodore  Troupis  (the  latter  became  sole  owner  in  1916).  Always  a 
high  school  hangout,  the  Kitch  was  the  first  store  in  Mendota  to  keep 
ice  cream  in  both  winter  and  summer.  Many  mothers  and  fathers  who 
once  worked  for  or  bought  from  Troupis  as  high  school  youths,  now 
have  daughters  and  sons  working  for  him  or  occupying  his  booths  as 
customers.  Although  the  store  still  features  ice  cream  and  candy 
made  there,  the  ice  cream  is  now  made  from  a  mix.  Other  confectionery 
and  ice  cream  parlor  operators  in  earlier  days  were  K.  W.  Pohl  and 
also  Carl  Yost. 

Pumpernickel  bread  so  famous  that  it  was  once  shipped  periodi- 
cally as  far  as  Denver,  Colo.,  was  baked  by  the  Zapf  bakery.    Such 

290         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


favorite  dishes  as  homemade  ice  cream  made  of  pure  cream,  vegetable 
soup,  Sunday  chicken  dinners,  and  Christmas  fruit  cakes  attracted 
many  townsmen  as  well  as  railroad  workers  to  the  restaurant-bakery. 
The  firm's  history  can  be  traced  back  to  1895  when  Henry  Mauer 
bought  out  N.  Knauer.  In  1909  Henry  Zapf  became  Mauer's  partner, 
and  in  1922  Mauer  sold  his  interest  to  Emil  Bauer.  From  1923  Zapf 
operated  it  until  he  sold  out  to  Gromann's  in  1941.  The  bakery  was 
called  Mauer  &  Zapf  from  1909-1941,  despite  the  ownership  changes. 
Gabriel  Pohl,  Daniel  Harbaugh,  and  Casper  Fischer  were  among 
the  early  Mendota  grocers.  Pohl's  store,  purchased  the  lot  on  Main 
and  Jefferson  streets  for  $150  before  the  Civil  war.  He  later  ran  a 
boarding  house  and  saloon  and  had  the  first  livery  stable  in  Mendota. 
In  1914  George  W.  Elsesser  and  George  Roth  opened  the  R  &  E  Gro- 
cery at  727  Washington  street  (these  grocers  had  previously  worked 
for  their  relatives  in  the  Elsesser  &  Roth  Grocery  for  many  years). 
Elsesser's  son,  Albert,  began  working  in  his  father's  store  about  1920 
and  upon  the  father's  death  in  1925  took  over  his  share  of  the  busi- 
ness. The  grocery's  old  pot-bellied  stove  promoted  the  present  location 
of  Elsesser's  Grocery  in  1935  when  the  building's  owner  refused  to 
install  a  furnace.  Three  years  later  Elsesser  bought  out  Roth.  The 
grocery  business  used  to  be  a  75  percent  credit  and  delivery  proposi- 
tion, while  now  it's  largely  cash  and  carry.  The  whole  winter  supply 
of  potatoes  and  flour  was  at  one  time  bought  in  fall;  potatoes  are  now 
stocked  twice  weekly.  Most  items  were  sold  in  bulk  form  and  coffee 
was  ground  as  it  was  sold,  whereas  now  most  goods  are  ready-pre- 
pared. Not  everything  has  changed,  however,  for  the  same  cash  register, 
over  40  years  old,  and  the  same  scale,  about  half  a  century  old, 
once  used  in  the  R  &  E  store  are  now  used  in  the  Elsesser  Grocery. 
("It's  never  been  out  of  whack  since  I've  known  it,"  Elsesser  says.) 


The  first  agricultural  implement  companies  were  established  by 
Louis  Eckert  (1865),  George  A.  Kellenberger  (1860),  and  Ebenezer 
Winslow  (1857).  Winslow  was  also  one  of  the  first  singing  school 
teachers  in  northern  Illinois.  Jacob  Wintrode  came  to  Mendota  after 
the  Civil  War  and  became  a  business  partner  of  August  Schultz  in  the 
tin  and  hardware  business.  Later  he  branched  out  on  his  own  into 
the  manufacture  of  tinware. 

Jacob  Miller  manufactured  cigars  here  after  the  Civil  War. 

Thomas  Imus  opened  the  only  marble  business  in  Mendota  in 
1857;  it  was  operated  by  his  son,  Newton,  later. 

An  insurance  salesman  who  was  once  obliged  to  pay  himself  is 
Karl    Pohl.    While  he   still   operated   his   business    (begun   in   1922) 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         291 


on  Washington  street,  he  was  robbed  of  a  rather  considerable  sum  of 
money  and  after  filling  out  the  proper  forms,  he  paid  his  own  loss. 
Pohl's  insurance  business,  moved  in  the  late  1930's  to  the  present 
location  on  Jefferson  street,  now  handles  real  estate  and  building  and 
loan  affairs  also.  The  building  and  loan  organization  was  begun  in 
1925  with  these  original  directors:  K.  W.  Pohl,  B.  H.  Reck,  W.  G. 
Van  Etten,  R.  E.  Hall,  John  Dubbs,  0.  J.  Ellingen,  Robert  Allen,  R. 
N.  Crawford,  Fim  Murra,  and  A.  C.  Mclntyre. 


Also  on  the  humorous  side  of  the  insurance  line  is  the  Pohl 
agency's  record  of  the  night  life  of  a  small  dog.  The  dog,  whose  owner 
had  taken  out  a  type  of  liability  insurance,  soon  after  joined  a  neigh- 
borhood gang  of  larger  dogs.  One  dark  night,  the  assured's  dog  went 
along  with  the  fellows  on  a  chicken  hunt.  Being  the  smallest  of  the 
lot,  he  was  elected  to  enter  the  chicken  coop's  small  door  and  chase 
out  the  victims  who  were  eaten  by  the  instigators  of  the  crime.  When 
the  chicken  owner  heard  the  racket  and  came  to  slam  the  chicken  coop 
door,  the  small  dog  was  caught  redhanded.  The  dog's  owner  received 
a  'phone  call  from  the  police  station  the  next  day  to  inform  him  that 
he  owed  $50  on  the  prize  chickens  sent  to  their  death  by  his  dog. 
Pohl's  paid  off. 

Despite  rising  costs,  the  Mendota  Five  and  Ten  Cent  Store  has 
kept  its  original  title  since  it  was  opened  by  Erma  Billhorn  in  1909, 
and  some  items  can  still  be  purchased  for  a  nickel  or  dime.  Miss  Bill- 
horn's  sister,  Mrs.  Flora  Lowd,  is  now  a  business  partner.  The  type 
of  merchandise,  too,  has  remained  much  the  same  through  the  years 
although  styles  have  changed. 

From  the  early  men's  clothing  stores  of  S.  B.  Dix  and  Adolph 
Karger  the  present  day  shops  of  Julian  Erbes  and  David  Sohn  have 
emerged.  Dix,  a  Vermonter,  began  his  business  here  in  1874  with  I. 
Higgins.  In  1878  he  bought  his  partner's  share  and  later  opened  a 
branch  store  in  Paw  Paw  for  his  custom  and  ready  made  trade.  In 
the  1890's  Charles  Erbes  bought  Dix's  business,  located  where  it  now 
is  on  Washington  street.  The  very  finest  gentleman  shopper  then  had 
a  choice  of  either  a  blue  or  a  grey  suit  of  the  same  style.  He  shopped 
for  a  fur  coat  (perhaps  calfskin  or  coonskin)  and  long  wool  under- 
wear for  smart  winter  wear — merchandise  of  the  past  and  no  longer 
kept  in  stock.  Re-stocked  now  are  the  string  tie  racks,  a  fashion  of  50 
years  ago  revived  during  the  Centennial  season.  The  ties  which  used 
to  be  small  and  neat  in  pattern  or  plain  tend  to  be  similar  today, 
although  they  are  now  ready  tied  and  clipons.    Upon  Charles  Erbes's 


292         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


death  in  1920  his  sons,  Julian  and  Karl,  became  partners  in  the  busi- 
ness until  Karl's  retirement  in  1947  when  Julian  became  sole  owner. 


"KARGER  PANTS  ARE  DOWN" 

"Karger  pants  are  way  down"  was  the  slogan  Adolph  Karger 
painted  on  wooden  boards  nailed  to  country  fenceposts  around  Men- 
dota.  Adolph  Karger  opened  his  store  first  on  Washington  street 
and  later  moved  to  several  places  on  Main  street,  ending  up  where 
the  current  Sohn  menswear  store  is.  His  brother,  Fred,  operated  it 
from  Adolph's  death  in  1940  until  1941.  A  feature  of  the  Karger 
store  was  the  collar  case,  a  rectangular,  movable  showcase  with  glass 
on  three  sides.  When  the  store  opened  in  the  morning  the  case  was 
moved  outdoors  to  display  a  variety  of  collars  —  at  closing  time  it 
went  back  in. 

R.  E.  Hall  began  his  business  in  a  building  near  his  present  loca- 
tion, to  which  he  moved  in  1912. 

Specialization  has  touched  even  the  furniture  and  undertaking 
trades.  The  Schwarz  funeral  home,  which  has  been  in  the  same  family 
for  68  years,  began  as  a  furniture  store-funeral  parlor.  Joseph 
Schwarz,  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade,  came  from  Germany  to  establish 
his  business  here  in  1885  where  Westerman's  store  now  is.  His  son, 
Frank  J.,  later  became  owner  and  was  one  of  the  first  persons  in 
Illinois  to  apply  for  an  embalmer's  license.  Frank,  as  well  as  his  son, 
Edward  J.,  brother,  Leo,  and  son-in-law,  Willard  Johnson  (the  firm's 
present  owner),  attended  Worsham's  embalming  school  in  Chicago. 
In  the  1920's  Frank  sold  out  the  furniture  business,  moved  to  where 
the  post  office  now  is,  and  sold  phonographs  and  records  along  with 
his  undertaking  duties.  In  1930  he  moved  to  his  father's  family  home 
on  Jefferson  street  where  he  established  the  first  "funeral  home"  in 
this  area.  Johnson  has  operated  the  home  since  Schwarz's  death  in 
1941. 

Early  furniture  dealers  included  Frederick  Wershinski  (1870, 
Washington  street  near  Main  street)  and  Alpheus  Dean  (1858,  Wash- 
ington street). 


Bailey's  funeral  service  has  been  a  fixture  in  the  community  for 
61  years,  F.  R.  Bailey  having  purchased  an  interest  in  the  firm  of 
Peter  Schultes  and  Bill  Hess,  back  in  1892,  who  were  engaged  in  fur- 
niture, cabinet  making,  and  undertaking.  Mr.  Bailey  spent  three  weeks 
in  Chicago  studying  embalming.   The  firm  was  located  in  the  building 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP         293 


on  Washington  street  now  occupied  by  Westerman's,  succeeding  the 
Dean  furniture  store. 

Mr.  Bailey  soon  purchased  the  interests  of  his  partners  and  moved 
to  the  Faber  building  on  Illinois  avenue,  where  the  Faber  barbershop 
now  is;  later  to  larger  quarters  in  the  Cooper  building  on  Washington 
street  (now  King's  furniture  store).  In  1916  Mr.  Bailey  purchased 
and  did  business  in  the  Eckart  building  on  Illinois  avenue  (present  A 
and  P  store) ,  until  1937,  when  his  son,  Ralph  F.  Bailey,  became  owner. 

Following  the  disastrous  fire  of  1937  a  modern  funeral  home  was 
established  in  the  large  residence  at  Indiana  avenue  and  Jefferson.  Ralph 
F.  Bailey  had  been  employed  with  his  father  starting  in  1910.  He  re- 
ceived his  license  as  registered  embalmer  and  funeral  director  in  1922. 

Associated  with  the  Bailey  establishment  for  many  years  were 
C.  E.  Merritt  and  A.  J.  Tapper.  Mr.  Merritt  and  his  son,  Willard,  now 
operate  Merritt  funeral  home.  Mr.  Merritt,  long  active  in  Masonic 
work,  began  in  this  line  of  work  in  October,  1911. 

J.  H.  Walker's  furniture,  carpet,  and  linoleum  business  moved 
from  Washington  st.  where  it  was  established  in  1913  to  Illinois  avenue 
and  later  to  its  present  site  on  Main  street  about  18  years  ago.  It  was 
formerly  a  dry  goods  store  as  well  as  rugs  and  ready-to-wear. 

Charles  Sonntag  originally  dealt  in  dry  goods,  beginning  in  1900. 
He  occupied  the  building  where  Walker's  furniture  company  now  is 
until  he  sold  out  the  dry  goods  business  to  open  a  shade  and  floor 
covering  shop  on  Illinois  avenue. 

One  of  Mendota's  first  businessmen  was  Samuel  Hastings,  a  drug- 
gist whose  career  began  in  1855  when  he  opened  a  dry  goods  store. 
His  drug  store  opened  in  1876  after  he'd  clerked  for  the  W.  T.  Black 
dry  goods  and  W.  F.  Corbus  drug  stores  for  many  years.  Forerunner 
of  Goslin's  drug  store  was  one  of  the  two  Schuetz  and  Denison  stores. 
These  men  joined  forces  in  1871  —  Denison  operated  the  corner  store 
on  Washington  and  Main  streets,  while  Schuetz  presided  at  the  store 
located  next  to  the  Candy  Kitchen.  Frank  Fritz  from  Earlville  took 
over  upon  Denison's  death.  In  1939  Arthur  and  Alfred  Goslin, 
brothers,  bought  the  store.  Alfred  died  in  1940.  This  building  had 
first  been  occupied  by  the  Fernberg  store. 

Adolph  Tesche,  drug  store  owner  since  1890  until  his  retirement, 
has  seen  60  years  of  progress  in  the  drug  business.  When  he  and 
Max  Haass  were  co-owners  of  the  store  on  Main  street,  the  beginning 
of  microscopic  germ  discovery  was  beginning  to  make  its  mark  on 
the  drug  products  and  advertising.  Hollywood  glamour  queens  were 
becoming  models  of  beauty  to  be  copied  by  feminine  drug  store  custom- 
ers.     The   cosmetic   trade    grew   from   a   limited   supply   of   products 


294 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


with  little  advertising  by  manufacturers  in  Mr.  Tesche's  early  days  to 
the  present  stock  of  many  and  various  cosmetics  highly  advertised. 

The  trio  of  John  Schaller,  Louis  Knauer,  and  Fred  Billhorn 
established  the  Mendota  Manufacturing  &  Transfer  Co.  in  the  spot 
where  it's  now  located  in  1889.  William  Schaller  bought  Knauer's 
share  of  stock;  John's  son,  Harry,  bought  out  William;  John  bought 
Billhorn's  share  upon  the  latter's  death;  and  at  one  time  Julius  Schaller 
was  one  of  the  owners.  At  present  the  business  is  owned  by  the  Harry 
F.  Schaller  family.  The  original  building  was  added  on  to  in  the  1920's. 

Horticulturist  was  the  term  for  florist  a  century  ago  when  Ben 
jamin  Moss  owned  two  greenhouses.  Bernard  Katzwinkel  called  his 
greenhouses  the  Restland  Floral  company  when  he  established  the  busi- 
ness in  1906.  Katzwinkel,  who  had  learned  his  trade  in  Chicago, 
mostly  at  Rosehill  cemetery,  was  an  enthusiastic  landscaper.  Since 
1948  Kynard  McCormick  and  Edward  Robinson  have  been  operating 
the  firm.    Remodeling  began  in  1953. 

The  Schweitzer  greenhouses  existed  back  in  1900,  and  were  almost 
totally  destroyed  by  the  1903  Tornado. 

The  Muzzy  Photo  Studio  dates  back  50  years,  when  R.  L.  Muzzy 
took  over  the  Keller  studio,  although  Mr.  Muzzy  had  been  in  the 
business  working  first  for  Gerard  and  then  for  Clark  and  others  20 
years  prior  to  that.  In  the  last  half  century  the  Muzzy  firm  absorbed 
photographers  Smith  and  Dean.  Arthur  B.  Muzzy,  the  present  owner, 
began  in  the  business  55  years  ago.  His  father,  R.  L.  Muzzy,  died  in 
1948  at  age  89. 

EDWARDS  HARDWARE  IS  OLDEST 

Undoubtedly  the  oldest  Mendota  firm  still  in  business  is  Edwards 
&  Son  hardware  store.  The  Rev.  William  Edwards,  great  grandfather 
of  the  present  owner,  Marvin  L.  Edwards,  began  the  business  in  1865 
in  what  is  now  the  Hi-Way  Grill.  At  that  time  the  store's  tin  shop 
produced  hand  made  utensils  —  copper  tea  kettles,  wash  basins,  tin 
pans,  kettles,  coffee  pots,  etc.  Buyers  for  the  merchandise  were  usually 
peddlers  who  drove  their  horse-drawn  wagons  over  country  roads  to 
exchange  hardware  for  the  farmers'  chickens,   eggs,  or  produce. 

When  fire  destroyed  all  wood  buildings  on  Washington  street  from 
the  present  OK  Food  market  to  King's  Furniture  store,  where  a  brick 
wall  prevented  further  spreading,  new  buildings  were  built  on  the 
site  of  the  burned  ones. 

In  1870  Edwards  moved  his  store  into  what  is  now  a  part  of 
Spurgeon's.  George  W.  and  George  B.  Edwards  became  co-owners. 
Underneath  the  back  of  the  store  was  a  shed  where  scrap  copper  and 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         295 


brass  were  stored.     Youthful  pranksters  liked  to  steal  the  scrap  metal 
and  bring  it  to  the  store  the  next  day  to  resell. 

A  steel  stove  once  proved  the  downfall  of  one  of  the  store's  owners ; 
his  helper,  Casper  Frey;  horse;  wagon,  and  all.  Edwards  and  Frey 
were  delivering  a  stove  to  a  farm  home  when  their  horse  became 
frightened  by  a  white  rock  just  as  they  were  crossing  a  bridge  without 
a  guard  rail.  As  the  horse  backed  up  in  fright,  the  wagon's  right 
front  wheel  rolled  off  the  bridge.  Although  the  men  managed  to  jump 
to  the  bridge  in  time,  horse,  wagon,  and  stove  fell  into  the  creek.  No 
damage  was  done,  however;  the  merchandise  was  reloaded;  and  the 
farmer's  wife  got  her  stove. 


ROBBERS  MADE  GETAWAY 

Among  the  many  times  the  store  has  been  robbed,  perhaps  the 
most  memorable  such  occasion  was  the  night  the  Edwards  home  tele- 
phone rang  .  .  Marvin,  answering  the  instrument,  was  told  that  the 
store  had  been  robbed.  He  and  his  father  rushed  down  to  find  Frank 
Lutz,  the  night  policeman,  pointing  a  revolver  at  the  lower  rear  window. 
Lutz  reported  that  he  had  caught  one  robber  as  he  tried  to  enter  through 
the  window  and  had  locked  him  up  in  the  jail.  The  other  criminal,  he 
said,  was  inside.  Meanwhile,  John  Holland,  another  policeman,  came 
along;  when  he  and  Edwards  entered  the  store  to  catch  the  second 
thief,  they  found  the  store  empty  and  the  robber  escaped.  The  group 
of  men  walked  to  the  jail  only  to  find  that  the  first  robber  had  escaped 
the  jail  and  taken  five  other  prisoners  with  him.  The  prisoners  had 
completely  robbed  the  police  chief's  collection  of  revolvers,  brass 
knuckles,  etc.,  collected  from  hobos. 

Inventions  made  in  the  Edwards  hardware  store  include  the  first 
model  of  the  Eclipse  Single  bar  adjustment  hand  mower,  first  model 
of  the  Cow  Boy  tank  heater,  and  the  Tip  Top  flue  stop. 

In  1933  the  store  moved  to  what  later  became  Schmehr  Hardware 
store  on  Illinois  avenue.  After  a  fire  damaged  much  of  the  mer- 
chandise, the  stock  was  moved  to  the  Candy  Kitchen  building,  where 
a  fire  sale  was  held.  Subsequent  moves  were  made  to  where  King's 
Furniture  store  now  is  and  to  the  present  location  on  Main  street. 


Also  opened  within  the  same  decade  was  the  Curtiss  &  Rude  hard- 
ware store.  It  later  became  Curtiss  &  (George)  Holland,  then  Holland 
&   Co.     Upon   George   Holland's   death   in    1933,   his   daughter,   Mrs. 


296 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


James  Nuckley,  became  joint  owner  with  her  stepmother,  whose  share 
she  bought  in  1947.  George  Holland  became  a  part  of  the  "Wild  Bill" 
Hickok  lore  when  he  arranged  for  travel  by  livery  horse  for  Hickok 
from  Mendota  to  Troy  Grove.  During  his  term  as  city  clerk,  Holland, 
Mayor  Shepley,  and  the  aldermen  met  around  the  hardware  store's 
pot-bellied  stove  for  their  city  council  meetings.  Their  meetings  were 
climaxed  by  the  arrival  of  Billy's  train,  which  brought  the  Chicago 
paper  to  town  after  supper.  Because  of  the  stock  of  some  hard-to-get 
items,  a  customer  once  commented,  "If  you  can't  get  it  at  Holland's, 
get  it  at  Nisley's." 

#         *  * 

The  term  "Nisley's"  refers  of  course  to  the  Ed  Nisley  dry  good 
store  which  operated  for  over  half  a  century  in  the  same  location  on 
Washington  street  now  occupied  by  Foster's  upholstery  shop.  Ed 
Nisley  was  a  merchant  of  the  old  school  and  indeed  did  carry  every- 
thing. It  is  said  he  never  changed  his  prices  and  this  meant  bargains 
in  recent  years,  although  some  items  thoroughly  outdated  were  over- 
priced, but  when  the  Nisley  store  closed  out  in  1953  due  to  the  illness 
of  Mr.  Nisley  the  store  was  a  treasure-house  of  things  long  since  ob- 
solete. These  items,  such  as  parasols,  high-top  shoes  and  odd  petti- 
coats were  avidly  grabbed  up  by  Mendota  women  as  the  sale  was  just 
in  time  to  buy  costume  material  for  the  1953  Centennial. 

Nisley  continued  to  sell  yardgoods  and  threads  and  notions  long 
after  other  merchants  gave  up  on  these  lines. 

Herbert  Waldorf,  a  creative  milliner  who  earned  real  distinction 
in  his  field  serving  the  fashionable  trade  in  the  East,  located  in  Mendota 
during  the  20's  and  was  a  popular  milliner. 


It  would  take  a  history  book  in  itself  to  chronicle  completely  all 
the  interesting  businesses  which  thrived  at  one  time  in  the  city. 
Fleeting  names  come  to  mind,  such  as  the  Fischer  grocery,  the  Schmitz 
Brothers  grocery,  Harbaugh's  grocery,  Truckenbrod's  jewelers,  Ben- 
nauer's  cigar  store,  Ed.  Lathrop's  grocery,  and  many  others.  The 
Erbes  grocery  and  market,  located  where  the  National  food  store 
is  now  located,  was  a  flourishing  business  in  the  20's.  It  was  Mendota's 
first  supermarket  and  did  a  fabulous  business.  John  Virgil  has  been 
quietly  repairing  shoes  in  Mendota  since  1911.  First  he  repaired 
shoes  for  the  W.  E.  Large  shoe  store  on  Illinois  avenue,  later  for 
Henry  Stenger  and  Huss  and  Bush,  and  started  for  himself  in  the 
basement  of  the  Hotel  Faber  in  1920. 

The  list  is  long  .  .  .  and  our  space  is  short. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         297 


The  Kramer  and  Cannon  barbershop  was  a  fixture  in  Mendota  for 
half  a  century.  Carl  Kramer,  who  still  takes  an  occasional  stand  at  a 
barber  chair,  had  a  shop  on  Illinois  avenue.  He  joined  forces  with  Ed. 
J.  Cannon  who  had  barbered  in  the  Jacob  Reul  shop.  Thus  began  a 
partnership  that  lasted  for  nearly  50  years  until  Ed  Cannon's  death  in 
1948.  An  interesting  adjunct  to  the  barbering  business  were  the  tub 
baths  which  were  rented  for  a  small  fee.  Remembered,  too,  is  the 
famous  lemon  tree  which  grew  for  many  years  in  the  window.  This  is 
now  Faber's  barbershop. 

John  Gross,  who  retired  in  1949,  joined  Kramer  and  Cannon 
shortly  after  their  shop  was  established  in  1902.  This  46  years  plus 
service  with  Adam  Kliyla  comprised  a  51 -year  career  in  barbering.  It 
is  said  that  the  trio  of  Kramer,  Cannon,  and  Gross  worked  together  the 
longest  period  of  any  barbering  combination  in  Illinois. 

Adam  Kliyla  operated  a  shop  on  Main  street.  Reul  and  Degen- 
hardt  had  a  shop  on  Jefferson  street  opposite  "Hotel  English",  now 
Hotel  Faber.    Buckner  and  Allen  was  another  Main  street  barbershop. 

Present  dean  of  Mendota  barbers  is  probably  George  Neff,  who 
operates  a  second  floor  shop  on  Main  street. 

Henry  Hillmer,  now  aged  94,  came  to  Mendota  in  1882  after 
learning  the  cobbler  trade  in  Germany.  He  retired  after  60  years  of 
mending  shoes. 

*         ♦         * 

Quite  a  number  of  present-day  merchants  and  professional  men 
have  been  in  business  here  25  years  and  upwards,  in  addition  to  those 
described  elsewhere.  Other  names  which  can  qualify  for  a  "quarter-of-a- 
century  club"  are  Harry  and  Forrest  Fahler,  B.  Harry  Reck,  John 
Dubbs,  Henry  G.  Kohl,  Gilbert  Truckenbrod,  John  Westerman,  Paul 
Faber,  Srul  Koopersmith  (established  1911),  W.  S.  Neilson  (who  estab- 
lished the  United  Cigar  store  with  Jim  McDonald  in  1921),  Charles 
Bader  (recently  retired),  Joseph  and  Ben  Zolper,  Purity  Ice  Cream 
Company,  Schmitt's  Mendota  Monument  Company,  Roy  Mclnturf,  Dr. 
F.  J.  Krenz,  Elmer  Beitsch,  Jacob  Brothers  Coal  (succeeding  George 
Nauman). 

The  Mendota  Farmers'  Co-Op  Supply  Co.  was  established  in  1908. 
Parsons  Junk  Yard  began  in  1913,  and  H.  Shapiro  in  1915. 

Other  business  establishments  in  business  over  25  years,  with 
various  managers,  are  the  A  and  P  store,  Kroger's,  Spurgeon's,  and  the 
Waldorf  Cafe.  Ira  Smith  was  proprietor  of  the  latter  in  the  20's.  He's 
still  in  Mendota  and  still  a  very  good  cook.  Alexander  Lumber  Co.  is 
another  long-established  business,  with  which  D.  M.  Lotts  and  S.  C. 
Cash  were  identified  for  many  years. 

298         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


PISTOL  PACKIN'  1  APAS 


M 


endota  HAS  had  its  share  of  crime,  large  and  small,  but  the 
vigilance  of  the  police  and  the  earnestness  of  the  citizens  and  city 
officials  has  been  such  that  never  did  crime  get  much  out  of  hand. 
There  were  long  periods  of  law-abiding  quiet. 

There  have  been  murders,  cattle  rustlers,  and  horse  thieves. 
There  have  been  women  seducers  and  riots,  shootings  and  knifings  — 
crimes  of  jealousy,  passion,  and  hate.  But  all  this  has  gone  into 
making  the  colorful  history  of  the  police  of  Mendota. 

There  has  been  a  succession  of  colorful  town  marshals,  and  one 
of  them  was  E.  G.  Mclntire  who  was  elected  marshal  in  1880  at  a 
salary  of  $150  a  month.  Other  marshals  have  had  more  onerous 
criminals,  but  none  possibly  were  called  upon  to  handle  as  famous  a 
character  as  did  Marshal  Mclntire. 

Mclntire  was  a  fearless  man.  He  was  minus  most  of  the  fingers 
on  both  hands,  and  during  his  time  many  arrests  were  made.  Fingers 
or  no  fingers  he  was  called  upon  to  "put  the  finger"  on  the  great 
John  L.  Sullivan,  the  famous  prize  fighter  of  the  time.  At  least  so  the 
story  goes. 

It  is  said  that  the  great  "Jawn  L",  who  feared  no  man,  stopped 
in  the  Mendota  lunch  room  of  one  John  Aldrich,  located  where  the 
Spurgeon  store  now  stands.  He  was  drunk  and  disorderly.  This  was 
nothing  new  for  John  L.  Sullivan,  who,  it  seems,  trained  on  whiskey. 
Mclntire  was  called  and  he  apprehended  Sullivan. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         299 


"Do  you  know  who  you  are  arresting?"  shouted  Sullivan,  adding 
that  he  was  none  other  than  John  L.  Sullivan,  the  world's  champion 
pugilist. 

"So  what!  You  are  under  arrest,"  retorted  Mclntire,  who  escorted 
the  great  man  to  jail  where  he  was  fined  $25  and  costs.  The  news- 
paper of  the  time  carried  the  story  that  John  L.  was  on  his  way  back 
to  Mississippi  to  answer  charges  against  him  for  unlawful  fighting. 


BECKET  MARSHAL  33  YEARS 

Another  colorful  town  marshal  was  Charles  Becket,  who  looked 
after  the  peace  of  the  city  for  a  span  of  33  years,  from  1900  to  1933. 
He  was  elected  marshal  and  later  when  an  ordinance  was  passed  giving 
the  mayor  the  power  to  appoint  the  minion  of  the  law,  "Charley" 
Becket  received  the  appointment  as  police  chief. 

He  was  always  respectfully  called  "marshal,"  however.  He  was  a 
large,  tall,  broad-chested  man  and  habitually  wore  a  large  western 
style  felt  hat.  He  was  firm  and  gruff,  and  could  stare  a  hobo  or  an 
itinerant  gypsy  horde  out  of  town.  It  is  said  that  when  a  speeder 
wouldn't  stop  he  would  shoot  his  tires  flat,  but  this  is  not  confirmed. 

Charley  was  very  nice  to  children,  but  they  still  held  him  in  awe. 
So  did  the  hobos,  who  knew  him  from  coast  to  coast  and  those  who 
knew  him  gave  the  town  a  wide  berth  in  their  travels.  Becket  and  his 
assistants  were  given  credit  for  cleaning  up  misbehavior  in  Mendota. 

Probably  the  only  time  that  things  got  out  of  hand  with  Marshal 
Becket  was  on  one  rainy  day  when  the  circus  was  in  town.  The  circus 
men,  having  nothing  to  do,  went  on  a  drunk.  They  were  hanging 
around  the  depot  and  started  a  riot  with  local  men. 

"Are  you  from  Mendota?"  they  would  ask  as  they  came  up  to  a 
man.  If  the  citizen  replied  in  the  affirmative,  the  circus  men  would  sock 
him.  Local  citizens  were  quickly  drawn  to  the  vicinity  of  the  depot  to 
help  quell  the  riot  or  to  protect  their  pals.  Many  gathered  across  the 
street  at  a  respectful  distance  to  watch  the  goings-on. 

The  riot  got  out  of  hand  and  the  police  were  called  to  break  it  up. 
One  of  the  rioters  shot  a  bullet  through  the  door  of  the  depot,  wounding 
some  of  the  rioters.  The  bullet  hole  was  still  there  for  many  years,  as 
awesome  testimony  of  the  "circus  riot." 

The  next  year  when  the  circus  came  to  town  some  of  the  circus 
men,  still  bearing  a  grudge,  tried  to  kindle  the  riot  again.  Special 
Policeman  John  Faber  ran  the  owner  up  into  the  hotel.     The  man 


300         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


tried  to  get  out  the  window  of  the  fourth  floor,  but  was  caught  and 
hauled  off  to  jail. 


Duties  of  constables  have  ranged  from  lighting  the  street  lights  to 
handling  the  parking  meters  in  the  present  day.  One  constable,  in  1857, 
apparently  was  paid  what  the  city  could  afford,  for  he  presented  his 
bill  to  the  council.    But  today's  police  are  paid  about  $250  per  month. 

Some  of  the  criminals  have  been  apprehended,  some  may  be 
serving  penitentiary  terms,  and  some  were  never  caught.  Most  of  it 
all  has  been  tragic,  but  a  small  part  has  had  its  humorous  side. 

Our  readers  have  heard  of  "de  Lawd"  who  is  one  of  the  chief 
characters  of  the  American  folk  play,  "Green  Pastures."  In  Mendota 
police  history  there  was  actually  a  "de  Lawd."  He  was  D.  W.  Lawd 
who  was  elected  police  magistrate  in  1872. 

Historians  have  to  turn  sleuths  themselves  to  run  down  a  history 
of  Mendota  police  activities,  because  a  few  years  ago  the  record  book 
disappeared  from  the  police  station.  Police  are  still  looking  for  it, 
and  in  their  relentless  way  some  day  doubtless  will  recover  it. 

The  first  police  magistrate  was  elected  in  1857,  when  Levi  Kelsey 
defeated  J.  C.  Crooker,  123  to  93.  He  was  also  the  banker  and  was 
known  to  the  Indians  as  "Big  Axe."  The  first  constable  and  collector 
was  Sampson  Clark,  in  1856.  In  1858  Alonzo  M.  Davis  was  appointed 
constable.  From  then  on  the  constable  was  changed  so  often  for  a 
time  that  it  is  impossible  to  keep  track  of  them  all.  Sometimes  they 
served  just  two  weeks;  and  then  a  new  one. 

The  rapid  turn-over  of  constables  may  have  been  due  to  the  poor 
pay.  The  records  show  that  in  1860  the  constable  presented  to  the  city 
a  bill  for  $12  for  services  rendered.  This  was  chopped  down  to  $10 
and  paid. 


THAT  "GLORIOUS"  CALABOOSE 

Glories  of  the  not-entirely-forgotten  past  include  that  famous 
calaboose,  or  jail,  which  stood  for  so  many  years  on  the  site  of  the 
present  city  clerk's  office.  Its  glum  and  dank  interior  was  no  invitation 
to  incarceration.  Most  of  its  early  inhabitants  were  drunks  and 
vagrants.  The  children  in  those  days  gave  this  ominous  hoosegow  a 
wide  berth,  taking  quickly  to  the  oppisite  side  of  the  street  to  avoid 
passing  in  front  of  it.  It  was  truly  a  deterrent  to  any  contemplated 
life  of  crime. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         301 


Plans  for  the  calaboose  were  presented  at  the  May  6,  1859,  meeting 
of  the  city  fathers,  and  a  couple  of  weeks  later  a  contract  was  awarded 
to  Henry  Gillett  for  $333  to  build  this  bastile.  It  could  not  have  been 
too  bad  in  its  infancy,  for  the  April  2,  1860,  meeting  of  the  council 
was  held  within  the  calaboose.  In  1870  some  repairs  were  made  on 
the  building.  At  least  The  Bulletin  was  able  to  report  that  it  was  in 
good  condition,  newly  white-washed  and  well  ventilated  and  dry. 

"Good  enough  for  a  drunken  man  or  any  other  man,"  commented 
the  editor. 

The  same  year  the  city  passed  a  resolution  to  buy  the  property  on 
which  the  calaboose  was  located.  Apparently  previously  the  ground 
had  been  leased.  In  1873  a  grate  door  was  placed  on  the  cell.  The 
paper  of  that  date  reports  that  the  mayor  got  a  little  mixed  up  in  his 
order  and  that  two  grate  doors  were  delivered. 

A  commission  was  appointed  in  1880  to  draw  up  plans  and 
specifications  for  a  new  jail-house;  but  later  in  the  same  year  they 
decided  to  repair  the  old  one  instead,  at  a  cost  not  to  exceed  $250. 
But  nothing  was  too  good  for  Mendota's  incarcerated  —  in  1883  a  gas 
lamp  was  placed  in  front  of  the  calaboose. 


INGLORIOUS  END  TO  CALABOOSE 

Thus  it  went  on,  serving  its  purpose  in  life,  until  in  1903  when 
calamity  struck.  We  will  let  The  Mendota  Sun-Bulletin  of  the  time 
describe  it.  The  paper  wrote:  "The  palatial  structure  which  is  known 
as  our  city  calaboose  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire  and  the  fire  had  such 
a  start  before  it  was  discovered  that  it  is  a  complete  wreck.  It  is 
rumored  that  the  inmates  filled  the  stove  with  coal,  and  then  fell  asleep. 
The  fire  being  the  result  of  an  over-heated  chimney.  The  city  council 
can  now  turn  its  attention  to  the  building  of  a  new  city  jail,  which 
has  been  much  talked  about  for  some  time." 

This  is  exactly  what  the  town  burghers  proceeded  to  do.  In  1904 
H.  Zolper  was  awarded  the  contract  for  the  new  building  and  later  that 
year  the  city  police  department  moved  into  the  new  Police  and  Fire 
building.  New  desks  and  furniture  were  purchased.  They  also 
purchased  police  whistles,  installed  electric  lights  and  telephones.  The 
total  cost  was  reported  to  have  been  $7,508. 

Of  this  sum,  $261.75  went  for  new  jail  cells. 

During  the  time  of  construction  the  jail  was  temporarily  housed 
in  a  tool  shed.     This  brought  a  protest  from  the  city  workers,  who 


302         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


said  they  did  not  dare  lay  their  coats  down.     It  seems  they  would  be 
full  of  cooties  and  lice  when  they  wanted  to  wear  the  garments. 

One  of  the  last  episodes  of  the  old  calaboose  before  it  burned  was 
the  suicide  of  Dr.  English,  who  at  that  time  was  a  prominent  Mendota 
physician.  Dr.  English  had  been  arrested  and  placed  in  jail.  This  so 
unnerved  him  and  he  could  not  bear  the  shame  of  his  arrest,  and  so 
took  his  own  life. 


Among  the  early  constables  were  John  Manley,  Edwin  Straw, 
R.  L.  Porter,  James  Dunning,  Joseph  Neff,  George  Wood,  and  Tom 
Kaufmann. 

Thomas  Forrestall  was  elected  to  the  post  in  1869.  He  served  for 
a  number  of  years  with  the  exception  of  one  period  when  he  resigned 
and  the  office  of  police  constable  was  left  open. 

The  vacancy  was  temporarily  filled,  it  is  recorded,  by  Patrick 
O'Riley.  He  being  the  same  Patrick  O'Riley  who  as  a  saloon-keeper 
had  caused  the  marshal  so  much  trouble.  It  appears  that  he  would 
sample  of  the  wares  of  the  various  saloons  and  then  brandish  his 
pistols  in  true  western  style,  threatening  to  shoot  up  the  place.  The 
council  quickly  put  a  stop  to  this  monkey  business  and  they  appre- 
hended O'Riley. 

Feeling  ran  so  high  that  Alderman  Crooker  in  the  same  year 
offered  a  resolution  to  dispense  with  the  day  police.    The  motion  lost. 

One  of  the  stories  of  this  period  recalls  that  the  city  marshal  was 
discharged  by  the  council  for  hauling  beer  into  the  calaboose  when  the 
only  prisoner  was  a  "lady." 

A  mild  crime  wave  overtook  the  city  in  1870.  A  motion  in  the 
council  calling  for  appointment  of  a  night  policeman  lost.  Again  the 
following  year  a  similar  motion  lost,  but  later  that  year  volunteer  fire 
police  for  night  duty  were  organized. 

D.  0.  Kane  was  made  night  policeman  at  a  salary  of  $25  per 
month.  In  1879  Warren  W.  Barrett  was  the  marshal  and  John  M. 
Stevenson  was  the  night  policeman. 


"PATSY"  HART  AND  "NERO" 

Later  that  same  year  another  colorful  custodian  of  the  law  was 
named  night  policeman.  He  was  Pat  "Patsy"  Hart.  Patsy  was  wounded 
in  a  shooting  affray  at  the  railroad  yards  and  carried  the  bullet  until 
his  death.  After  this  shooting  he  was  given  a  Great  Dane  dog,  named 
Nero.    Nero  accompanied  his  master  on  his  rounds  every  night  and  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         303 


dog  became  well  known  to  everyone  in  town.  Patsy  and  his  Great  Dane 
dog  on  their  nightly  rounds  became  a  familiar  sight. 

In  1885  T.  B.  Bailey  was  night  policeman.  Then  came  William 
Walter,  followed  by  L.  E.  Behel,  James  McEvoy,  J.  Stellwagen,  Charles 
Westgate  and  John  Holland.  In  1894  John  Holland  was  elected  city 
marshal  and  F.  L.  Smith  and  W.  B.  Nolan  were  the  night  police.  In 
1897  Charles  F.  Huck  was  the  marshal  and  Anthony  Manley  and  N.  J. 
Riegel  were  night  police. 

F.  Ellingen  was  night  police  in  1898,  and  Charles  Becket  became 
marshal  in  1900.  Under  Becket  as  police  officers  over  the  years  were 
F.  L.  Smith,  William  Hess,  L.  D.  Worsley,  Daniel  McMahon,  Harvey 
Williamson,  Fred  Bieser,  John  Manley,  Frank  Lutz,  Godfrey  Ichorn, 
and  Shirley  Hanson.  Also  during  this  time  John  H.  Faber  served  as 
special  police. 

In  1933  Godfrey  Ichorn  was  appointed  chief  of  police  and  has 
served  through  the  present  time.  The  police  force  today  consists  of  the 
chief  and  four  regular  men  —  Charlie  Taylor,  Emmett  Nowlin,  John 
Biers  and  Art  Dalton. 

The  first  police  car  was  purchased  in  1941.  Before  that  time  the 
police  used  a  two-wheel  cart.  In  the  old  days  the  police  used  a  dray- 
cart  with  a  long  platform.  The  driver  would  ride  on  the  back  end  to 
keep  the  front  end  stable. 

The  jail  as  it  is  today  consists  of  two  cells  and  a  bull  pen.  The 
police  are  connected  to  the  county  sheriff's  office  by  two-way  radio. 

*         *         ♦ 

Over  the  years  there  were  many  flare-ups  which  called  out  the 
constabulary  in  a  hurry.  Some  of  these  were  trivial,  and  many  ended 
in  death.  A  hundred  years  is  a  long  time,  and  many  passions  are 
aroused,  even  in  a  community  with  3,000  to  4,000  population  aug- 
mented by  itinerants. 

We  will  let  accounts  from  the  public  press  of  this  span  of  years 
tell  some  of  the  more  lurid  of  the  fracases  that  took  place: 

1856  —  George  Lamb,  the  proprietor  of  Lamb's  Hotel,  secretly 
married  Louise  Shurtleff  in  1856,  at  which  time  she  was  living  in 
Mendota  with  her  father.  In  1858,  he  joined  her  in  the  South,  telling 
her  father  he  was  taking  her  to  Memphis.  Four  weeks  later  he  re- 
turned telling  her  father  she  had  died  and  was  buried  in  Memphis. 
Later,  1859,  he  returned  to  Mendota  and  continued  to  run  the  hotel 
and  joined  the  Baptist  church.  The  girl's  father  became  suspicious 
and  told  the  story  to  Clark  and  Levi  Kelsey.  Someone  had  seen  Lamb 
in  St.  Louis  when  he  was  supposed  to  be  in  Memphis. 

This  and  additional  circumstances  led  to  his  arrest.    He  was  taken 


304 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


to  St.  Louis  where  a  lengthy  trial  was  held.  Many  Mendota  residents 
made  the  trip  and  offered  character  witness  for  the  defendant.  He 
admitted  giving  her  medicine  to  produce  abortion,  then  drowning  her 
in  the  river  while  she  was  dying  from  the  result  of  the  medicine.  He 
was  convicted  and  sentenced  to  hang. 

Later,  when  the  hotel  was  reopened,  the  place  was  searched  for 
missing  persons  and  a  floor  was  pulled  up  and  a  decomposed  body 
found.  It  proved  to  be  a  porker.  Then  a  rumor  was  circulated  to  the 
effect  that  Lamb's  wife  was  living  in  Ohio  and  had  remarried. 

About  this  time  the  paper  printed  a  story  to  the  effect  that  Mendota 
was  a  gambling  hole  —  a  rendezvous  for  gamblers  and  thimbleriggers. 

April  15,  1859  —  Charles  Anderson  shot  John  Heath  with  pistol. 
The  two  had  been  good  friends  but  had  got  into  an  argument  over  a 
card  game.     Anderson  was  acquitted  —  the  case  not  fully  made  out. 

Oct  14,  1860  —  A  citizen  beaten  to  death.  A  fatal  affray  occurred 
in  front  of  Meisenbach's  saloon  on  Main  street.  Schneck  a  German 
was  beaten  by  an  Irishman.  Both  the  German  and  Irish  were  very  quiet 
about  the  affray.  Both  are  willing  to  let  the  law  take  its  course. 
One  Lary  O'Brien  was  sentenced  to  one  year  in  prison. 

June  27,  1860  —  $25  Reward.  A  carpet-sack  of  brussels  cloth 
fastened  with  straps  and  containing  pants,  shirts,  a  revolver,  news- 
papers, books,  letters  addressed  to  J.  E.  Cowles  and  notes  and  accounts 
of  Nelson  &  Company,  New  York,  was  taken  from  the  Passenger  House. 

Dan  Kane,  R.  R.  watchman,  caught  a  suspicious  character  making 
off  with  C.  H.  Bush's  dummy  watch  sign. 

June  20,  1867  —  First  prosecution  for  violation  of  new  city 
ordinance  for  being  drunk  and  disorderly.  Prosecution  quashed  on 
technical  point. 

Ordinance  passed  to  have  one  night  police.  The  marshal's  hours 
to  be  from  11:30  a.m.  until  11:30  p.m.     All  this  for  $45  per  month. 

July  4,  1867  —  Mike  Phalen  arrested  for  making  too  much  noise 
and  being  drunk.  He  resisted  arrest  and  was  hit  on  the  head  by  the 
marshal.     A  riot  was  imminent  until  the  marshal  got  out  of  the  way. 

Jan.  14,  1869  —  Some  rascals  the  night  of  the  fire  stole  the 
wearing  apparel  of  some  of  the  women  who  tenanted  the  old  Eagle 
hotel  building.  "Such  scamps  ought  not  be  allowed  to  live  in  a 
respectable  community." 

May  25,  1870  —  Passenger  seized  when  leaving  the  cars  by  two 
burly  fellows  who  tore  off  diamond  pin  worth  $450  from  shirt  bosom. 

May  22,  1870  —  A  man  drugged  on  the  train  by  two  men  who 
fleeced  him  of  $100.     He  was  taken  to  the  Passenger  House  and  put 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         305 


to  bed.    He  jumped  from  the  second  story  window  and  stole  a  horse, 
but  was  all  right  when  the  effects  of  the  drug  wore  off. 

*         *         * 

June  3,  1870  —  John  Keezel,  a  worker  in  lmus'  marble  shop, 
murdered  by  Jacob  Haas,  a  wagon  maker,  while  walking  with  a  young 
lady  near  the  north  limits  of  the  city.  He  stabbed  him  with  a  pocket 
dirk  knife.  It  was  the  aftermath  of  Sunday  beer  parties  held  in 
a  beer  garden  located  where  the  Katzwinkel  home  now  stands,  east 
of  Restland  greenhouses. 

Keezel  died  on  Tuesday  and  was  buried  Wednesday.  Haas  was 
apprehended   and   brought   to   trial.      He   didn't   understand   English. 

The  pastor  of  the  M.E.  Church  preached  a  sermon  the  following 
Sunday  evening,  "Lager  Beer  as  a  Murderer." 


PAT  O'RILEY  AGAIN 

1873  —  A  Bloody  Affray.  Thomas  Forrestall,  marshal,  and 
Pat  O'Riley,  saloon  keeper.  Mr.  Taylor,  manager  of  the  Passenger 
House  interfered  in  the  marshal's  behalf  and  received  a  cut  in  the 
neck  three  inches  long.  Marshal  Forrestall  was  cared  for  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Taylor  in  the  Passenger  House. 

Sept.,  1873  —  Seven  boys  (age  8-15)  were  arrested  on  a  warrant 
sworn  out  by  Philo  Castle  for  lawlessness  and  malicious  mischief.  All 
held  to  bail  for  $150  to  $500.    They  are  to  appear  before  circuit  court. 

April  28,  1876  —  Eight  persons  are  now  posted  as  habitual 
drunkards,  including  one  woman  "Aunt  Ellen." 

June  2,  1876  —  Edwards  and  Sons  robbed  of  four  revolvers  and 
one  pocket  knife. 

August  5,  1876  —  Marshal  Forrestall  incurred  a  head  injury 
chasing  Jim  McMahon  up  the  tracks. 

April  18,  1877  —  Marshal  arrests  two  young  men  of  Mendota 
for  driving  horses  until  they  dropped.  Full  of  benzine  (men,  not 
horses).    "They  should  have  been  roundly  fined  on  Monday." 

March  1,  1878  —  Editorial  in  paper  on  whipping  in  schools  — 
editor  opposed. 

March  8,  1879  —  Shot  dead  —  an  unfortunate  affair.  Shooting  of 
Charlie  Price.  An  extremely  unfortunate  and  tragic  shooting  affray 
resulted  in  the  death  of  Charlie  Price  at  the  hands  of  Special  Police 
Mclvor.  Both  men  interfered  in  a  shuffle  in  the  cloak  room  at  the 
Social  Union  club.     Price  repeatedly  hit  Mclvor  who  was  on  duty. 


306 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Mclvor  shot,  killing  Price.  Jury  brought  in  verdict  of  justifiable 
shooting.     There  had  been  no  enmity  between  the  two  men. 

June  21,  1880  —  The  fellow  who  operates  the  street  sprinkler 
in  a  shooting  with  the  husband  of  the  lady  upon  whom  he  has  been 
calling. 

Jan.  24,  1880  —  Doc  Miller,  wanted  in  Freeport  for  firing  and 
robbing  a  tailor  shop,  caught  and  jailed  here.  He  set  a  fire  to  his 
bedding  and  made  his  escape  while  the  guards  were  putting  out  the  fire. 
It  is  believed  he  got  out  of  town  by  wearing  women's  clothing. 

May  8,  1882  —  Tom  Wash,  colored,  killed  in  scufHe  with  Gabe 
Smith. 

Sept.  8,  1883  —  Dr.  Rickey  shot  his  wife  and  hid  in  a  barn  in 
the  neighborhood  (the  barn  of  Rev.  Ingles).  After  two  days,  during 
which  time  even  dogs  failed  to  track  him  down,  he  emerged  with  his 
throat  cut,  but  survived.  His  sister  stated  insanity  prevailed  in  the 
family.  Indicted  by  the  grand  jury  but  was  acquitted.  He  was  judged 
insane  at  the  time  of  the  crime. 

Nov.  24,  1883  —  Burglary  at  Freedman  and  Fernberg  store. 
Officer  Hart,  his  dog  Nero,  and  young  Fernberg  found  the  burglars 
under  the  counter. 

Jan.  19,  1884  —  The  sheriff  denies  public  admittance  to  the 
county  jail  after  the  Freedman  and  Fernberg  store  burglars  made  their 
escape.     They  had  five  small  saws,  a  drill,  a  file  and  two  other  saws. 

1884  —  Wave  of  burglaries.  Residence  of  J.  Reul  robbed.  They 
got  watch,  neck  chain,  ring  and  $10.  After  11  p.m.  of  the  same 
evening  they  tried  to  enter  Wershinski's  but  raised  Charles  Erbes 
who  slept  in  the  store.     Silver  stolen  at  Ed  Lathrop  home. 

1885  —  Burglars  at  Dix  Clothing  store.  Part  of  the  loot  re- 
covered at  the  fairgrounds. 

1886  —  Rampart  Ruffianism  —  Travelers  set  upon  —  young  girl 
molested.     Calls  for  vigilance  on  the  part  of  our  city  government. 

March  18,  1886  —  Police  make  a  false  arrest.  Thought  to  be 
the  robbers.    Released. 

March  26,  1886  —  Three  saloon  keepers  fined  $25  for  keeping 
their  saloons  open  on  Sundays. 

April  2,  1887  —  Marshal  Mclntire  arrested  William  Orth,  a 
butcher,  for  stealing  hides.  Orth  wanted  to  go  to  his  home  to  get 
a  change  of  clothing.  Marshal  Mclntire  went  with  him  and  waited 
downstairs  for  him.  Orth  jumped  from  the  upstairs  window  and 
escaped. 

July  30,  1888  —  Skelly  Ryan  arrested  for  breaking  out  of  the 
calaboose.     Several  shots  were  fired.     He  is  now  in  the  county  jail. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         307 


August  20,  1889  —  A  wave  of  burglaries  while  the  circus  is  in 
town.  The  circus  roustabouts  and  the  hoboes  have  a  free-for-all. 
Many  arrests. 

1889  —  Thieves  infest  the  city.  Mrs.  P.  Faber's  horse  stolen. 
Recovered  in  Chicago. 

May  18,  1889  —  Marshal  Mclntire  succeeded  in  raising  $60  for 
Decoration  Day  fund.     (Evidently  part  of  the  marshal's  duties.) 

1891  —  Burglars  open  safe  of  Mr.  Jos.  Franklin,  who  operates 
the  Germania  House  saloon.  $400  cash  and  note  of  $550  were  stolen. 
The  burglars  first  tied  the  dog's  mouth  with  string  and  put  him  under 
a  box  in  the  shed.  They  were  evidently  professional  because  of  the 
skillful  manner  in  which  they  bored  the  holes  in  the  safe. 

June  6,  1890  —  George  Otterbach's  team  and  carriage  stolen  from 
the  public  street  in  broad  day  light  —  last  seen  in  Dixon.  It  is  worth 
a  large  sum  of  money. 

1891  —  One  of  the  notorious  Johnson  boys  came  to  town  and  got 
into  a  fight  with  a  railroad  switchman.  A  deputy  witnessed  the  fight 
and  went  to  arrest  Johnson  who  had  gone  home  to  the  Tom  Johnson 
residence  in  the  south  part  of  town.  He  resisted  the  deputy's  attempt 
to  arrest  him  so  the  deputy  went  back  to  town  and  got  Marshal  Mc- 
lntire and  several  citizens.  They  went  back  to  the  Johnson  residence 
where  they  had  to  shoot  it  out  with  the  Johnson  family  holed  up  in  the 
house.  The  house  was  shot  full  of  holes  and  it  is  a  wonder  anyone 
escaped  alive.  All  were  taken  to  the  county  jail,  including  the  Johnson 
women,  who  had  participated  in  the  shooting. 


FEMALE  HORSE  THIEVES 

Sept.  19  —  Marshal  Mclntire  arrests  female  horse  thieves,  one 
dressed  in  men's  clothing.  The  horses  were  stolen  in  Sandwich.  The 
thieves  were  locked  in  a  room  in  Pohl's  Hotel  and  returned  to  Sand- 
wich the  next  day. 

1900  —  William  Hess,  night  police,  arrested  and  discharged  for 
striking  a  man  unduly. 

Oct.  25,  1901  —  On  this  day  some  very  suspicious  characters 
were  noticed  in  town.  They  had  rented  a  livery  from  the  livery  stable 
and  their  actions  aroused  suspicion.  They  purchased  some  cartriges  in 
the  Edwards  Hardware  store.  That  evening  they  went  on  a  crime 
spree  and  robbed  three  local  homes. 

Word  quickly  was  passed  around  town  that  the  robbers  were  at 


308         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


the  Henning  home  on  Washington  Street.  All  the  local  men  went  home 
and  got  their  fire  arms  and  returned  to  the  Henning  house.  John 
Farrow,  a  special  policeman,  also  went  to  investigate.  In  the  dark,  as 
everyone  was  sneaking  around  the  house,  Farrow  came  upon  and 
started  to  beat  up  John  Kehm,  thinking  him  one  of  the  robbers.  A 
man  by  the  name  of  Moltry,  an  employee  of  the  Henning  brewery,  shot 
at  the  two  men  in  the  dark,  he  thinking  they  were  both  robbers.  He 
shot  Farrow  in  the  back,  killing  him.  Moltry  was  exonerated  by  the 
jury  investigating  the  shooting. 

The  robbers  were  never  apprehended.  The  police  sent  for  blood- 
hounds and  they  trailed  them  out  to  the  overhead  bridge  (the  viaduct) 
but  lost  their  trail. 

Farrow  was  38  years  of  age  and  was  lauded  for  his  bravery.  His 
funeral  was  paid  for  by  the  city. 

In  those  days  the  police  carried  dark  lanterns. 

1902  —  Marshal  Becket  wounded  on  hand  in  a  fracas  with  "certain 
local  boys."  Becket  received  a  large  gash  on  his  hand.  The  boys 
were  arrested  for  assault  with  a  deadly  weapon. 


MOUTH  FULL  —  OF  MONEY 

1903  —  Sept.  19,  Frank  Ward,  a  roomer  in  the  Schamberger 
House,  entered  the  room  of  W.  F.  Bush  of  Iowa  and  got  away  with 
$22.  Bush  became  suspicious  of  Ward  and  called  Marshal  Becket  who 
went  after  Ward.  When  Ward  was  apprehended  they  noticed  that  his 
mouth  looked  full.  Becket  choked  him  and  forced  him  to  spit  the 
money  out  which  he  had  secreted  in  his  mouth  when  he  saw  he  was 
going  to  be  caught.    Ward  was  bound  over  to  the  grand  jury. 

1904  —  Man  caught  robbing  Edwards  hardware  store.  This  is 
the  first  reported  for  a  long  time  and  it  is  strange  because  by  this  time 
the  police  force  of  Mendota  has  a  reputation  in  all  surrounding  towns 
for  getting  their  man.    Police  are  watching  closely  for  wrongdoers. 

Friday,  March  20,  1903  —  Two  officers  of  the  law  come  to  blows. 
Justice  of  the  Peace  J.  B.  Wormley  and  policeman  Dan  McMahon  met 
on  Main  street  and  had  hot  words  about  a  statement  made  by  Wormley 
about  the  way  McMahon  had  discharged  his  duties.  McMahon  knocked 
Wormley  down.  He  was  fined  $10  for  assault  and  battery.  This  is 
not  the  end  of  this  affair. 

Oct.  22,  1914  —  Horse  shooting.  "Certain  local  boys"  who  were 
always  in  trouble  had  been   apprehended  for  being  drunk  and   dis- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         309 


orderly.  They  were  being  taken  to  jail  by  John  Faber.  He  was 
rounding  the  corner,  where  the  OK  Market  now  stands,  with  a  firm  hold 
on  each.  One  jerked  away  and  the  other  engaged  Faber  in  shuffle. 
While  the  one  had  him  down  the  other  one  pulled  a  revolver  and 
started  to  shoot  at  him.  One  bullet  rupped  through  his  coat  and  creased 
his  hip.  He  shot  back,  but  at  that  time  a  horse  and  carriage  had  got 
into  his  way  and  his  shot  killed  the  horse  belonging  to  a  Mr.  Kopps. 
Victor  Weber's  horse  was  shot  in  the  neck. 

At  about  this  time  a  gang  was  operating  in  Mendota.  They  would 
get  some  simple  minded  fellow  to  start  a  fire  somewhere  on  the  edge 
of  town.  Everyone  would  go  to  the  fire,  not  locking  their  doors.  This 
made  it  easy  for  the  gang  to  do  their  looting  while  the  people  were 
not  at  home.    They  were  all  caught  and  served  time  in  the  penitentiary. 

Oct.,  1914  —  The  first  jail  break  from  the  new  jail.  A  negro 
broke  the  bars  and  he  and  a  white  prisoner  escaped.  The  negro 
was  caught. 

October,  1914  —  Some  time  between  Saturday  night  and  Sunday 
morning  a  dope  fiend  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  A.  C.  Mclntyre  and 
stole  some  cocaine,  1000  tablets  of  morphine  and  the  same  number  of 
tablets  of  heroin.  Nothing  else  was  taken.  "These  doses  ought  to  last 
for  a  while." 

In  later  years  the  police  shot  it  out  west  of  Mendota  with  two  men 
who  had  escaped  from  the  county  jail.  One  was  wounded  and  died 
in  jail  when  gangrene  set  in. 

The  police  picked  up  an  escaped  murderer,  B.  Anderson,  colored, 
near  Lake  Mendota. 

There  have  been  others,  one  of  them  prominently  headlined  in  all 
the  Chicago  papers.  Due  to  the  fact  that  many  people  who  figured  in 
recent  police  cases  are  still  living  here,  we  leave  such  incidents  for 
future  historians  to  record. 


All  in  all,  things  have  quieted  down  a  lot  in  the  last  third  of  the 
century.  Burglaries  are  rare  and  most  of  the  thievery  is  of  the  petty 
larceny  variety,  with  an  occasional  stolen  automobile.  "Drunk  and 
disorderly"  is  a  charge  which  still  dots  the  police  calendar,  and  the 
pinching  of  speeding  and  reckless  drivers  keeps  a  squad  car  constantly 
on  the  prowl. 

Police  are  kept  busy  attending  accident  cases  and,  of  course,  that 
new  responsibility  of  the  machine  age  ....  collecting  pennies  and 
nickels  from  parking  meters  and  handing  out  parking  tickets  to  those 
who  do  not  hurry  back  to  the  car  quickly  enough  before  the  red  flag 
pops  up. 


310         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


c 


THE  COUNTRY  DOCTOR 


N 


0  matter  HOW  proudly  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  may  an- 
nounce new  population  figures  for  Mendota,  or  how  many  hospitals  or 
clinics  are  built,  the  tradition  of  Mendota  doctors  through  the  years 
has  always  been  that  of  "country  doctor."  This  is  a  proud  appellation. 
In  addition  to  office  hours  and  hospital  hours,  he  makes  his  daily 
round  of  the  sick  and  his  trips  often  take  him  out  on  lonely  country 
roads. 

Though  his  equipment  is  modern  and  no  longer  are  operations 
or  childbirths  performed  in  an  emergency  operating  room  in  the  family 
living  room  or  kitchen,  the  Mendota  doctor  is  still  called  out  of  bed 
at  all  hours  and  in  all  weather  to  take  care  of  emergency  calls.  In  a 
small  community  he  dare  not  be  a  specialist  but  is  physician,  surgeon, 
bone-setter,  and  even  psychiatrist. 

He  speeds  about  in  a  motor  car,  not  a  buggy,  although  the  visits 
by  buggy  are  keenly  remembered  by  several  of  today's  practicing 
physicians. 

Mendota's  doctors  have  taken  medical  advances  in  stride.  Such 
an  instrument  back  in  the  1870's  was  the  telephone.  The  press  recorded 
that  "Dr.  E.  P.  Cook  may  now  take  an  afternoon  nap;  a  telephone 
from  his  residence  to  his  office  now  permits  such  conduct  on  the  part 
of  the  doctor,  for  if  he  is  needed  downtown  an  alarm  is  given  and  con- 
versation may  be  very  satisfactorily  carried  on  over  the  wire."  The 
editor  added  that  the  playing  of  the  piano  at  the  house  is  plainly 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


311 


heard.  He  failed  to  state  how  the  harried  Dr.  Cook  would  get  that 
afternoon  nap  with  the  piano  playing. 

There  have  been  quacks  and  charlatans,  too,  including  faith  heal- 
ers and  the  inevitable  Indian  medicine  man  and  herb  doctor.  Men- 
dota  did  not  give  these  healers  much  shrift.  In  1871  there  was  a 
"celebrated"  Indian  herb  doctor  called  Prof.  R.  J.  Lyons,  who  took 
quarters  at  the  passenger  house  periodically  to  give  consultations  and 
advice  free  of  charge.    The  herb  medicine,  of  course,  was  not  free. 

Ethical  doctors  do  not  advertise,  but  the  professor  did.  He  took 
an  ad  to  proclaim: 

"/  use  such  balms  as  have  no  strife 
With  Nature  or  the  laws  of  life, 
With  blood  my  hands  I  never  stain, 
Nor  poison  men  to  ease  their  pain." 

Doctors  there  were  aplenty  during  the  early  years,  and  it  is  said 
that  between  the  founding  of  the  town  in  1853  and  1876  there  had 
been  28  physicians.  Apparently  many  of  them,  like  itinerant  ministers, 
came  and  went  in  those  early  years. 

Dr.  John  L.  Teed  was  the  first  physician  to  practice  in  Mendota, 
but  he  did  not  live  in  the  city  proper.  An  early  account  states  that  he 
"lived  in  the  suburbs,"  wherever  that  may  be.  He  came  to  this  locality 
in  1853  and  remained  until  1881,  when  he  removed  to  Kansas  City. 

The  first  resident  physician  was  Dr.  J.  W.  Edwards  who  lived  and 
practiced  here  for  many  years  until  he  died  in  1925.  He  came  in  1854. 
Dr.  Gorham  came  from  LaMoille  in  1854,  but  died  of  cholera  in  the 
same  year. 

Another  early  doctor  who  came  to  Mendota  in  1854  was  Dr.  Emil 
Haass.  He  was  also  a  druggist,  and  was  a  brother  of  Max  A.  F.  Haass 
who  remained  as  a  druggist  for  many  years.  Dr.  Emil  Haass,  left,  how- 
ever, in  1876. 

Other  early  doctors  were  Drs.  Beckwith,  Boroff,  Rev.  U.  P.  Golli- 
day  who  was  an  early  minister  as  well  as  doctor,  Rhodes,  S.  P.  Kimball, 
James,  Smeltzer,  Garrison,  Pregatzer,  Baumbaugh,  Karst,  Secori,  Pres- 
ton, Eves,  Tribelhorn,  Potts,  and  two  Dr.  Bainters. 

Then  there  was  Dr.  J.  A.  Hoffman,  who  practiced  for  a  time  in 
the  old  Seminary  school  building  on  Thirteenth  avenue,  before  his  son 
conducted  the  place  as  a  hotel.    Dr.  Hoffman  was  a  homeopath. 

In  the  early  days  homeopathy  was  a  popular  form  of  treatment 
of  ills,  and  in  addition  to  Dr.  Hoffman  there  was  at  one  time  a  part- 
nership between  Dr.  Frank  Duncan  and  Dr.  Ellen  H.  Maltbie.  They 
held  medical  degrees  and  "Were  also  surgeons.  Dr.  Duncan  graduated 
from  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  and  Hospital,  Chicago.   He  prac- 

312         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


ticed  with  his  brother  in  Chicago  two  years  and  later  ran  a  water-cure 
at  Osage,  Iowa,  where  he  was  also  county  physician.  He  came  to 
Mendota  and  took  over  the  practice  of  Dr.  Hoffman  in  1883. 

Associated  with  him  was  Mendota's  only  woman  doctor,  at  least 
she  is  the  only  woman  doctor  revealed  by  local  records.  She  was  Dr. 
Ellen  H.  Maltbie.  She  was  graduated  from  Cleveland  Homeopathic 
Medical  College  in  1884  and  located  here  the  same  year,  apparently 
with  a  busy  practice. 

Then  there  was  Dr.  Gutwasser,  a  Uroscopian,  who  had  an  office 
on  Illinois  avenue.  This  once  popular  branch  of  medicine  diagnosed 
diseases  through  the  inspection  of  urine. 


THE  FIRST  BOARD  OF  HEALTH 

Despite  this  active  attention  to  the  health  of  the  community,  there 
was  no  local  board  of  health  until  about  1866,  when  a  local  board 
of  health  was  established.  The  first  members  were  Dr.  J.  C.  Corbus, 
Dr.  E.  P.  Cook,  and  Dr.  J.  W.  Edwards.  They  prepared  edicts  and 
procedures  for  regulating  the  health  of  the  community  and  the  follow- 
ing year,  July  18,  1867,  an  ordinance  was  created.  At  about  the  same 
time  the  local  doctors  were  urging  drainage  of  stagnant  ponds  in  view 
of  probable  cholera  during  the  summer.  The  health  board  also  urged 
the  cleaning  of  alleys  within  the  city. 

Two  other  doctors  who  practiced  here  before  the  Civil  War  were 
Drs.  Thompson  and  Dodge. 

Dr.  John  K.  Richey,  who  was  graduated  from  the  St.  Louis  Eclec- 
tic Medical  College  and  who  served  in  the  war,  located  in  Mendota 
in  1880. 

Dr.  R.  W.  Gelbach,  a  native  of  Germany,  was  educated  at  Stras- 
burg  Medical  College  and  also  in  Munich  and  others  of  the  best  medi- 
cal schools  of  Germany,  graduating  with  honors  in  medicine  and  sur- 
gery. After  serving  as  assistant  surgeon  in  the  Bavarian  army  he  came 
to  Mendota  to  practice  about  1882. 

As  early  as  1870  the  first  medical  society  was  established  in  La 
Salle  and  adjoining  counties.  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook  was  the  first  chairman 
of  this  Medico-Pathological  society,  as  it  was  called.  Dr.  J.  C.  Corbus 
was  selected  as  the  first  president  of  the  society,  with  Dr.  Cook  as 
treasurer.    They  adopted  the  American  Code  of  Ethics. 

Though  there  was  little  heavy  industry  in  those  days,  the  press 
records  that  Peter  Donohue  was  injured  when  a  heavy  steel  bar  fell 
from  above,  hitting  him  on  the  head.  Dr.  John  Teed  took  several 
stitches  in  the  wound. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         313 


Public  health  was  an  increasing  topic  of  interest  to  the  towns- 
people, as  shown  by  a  large  crowd  which  turned  out  in  June  of  1867 
at  the  Congregational  church  to  hear  Dr.  Susan  Everett  lecture  on 
health. 

And  a  farmer  who  sold  milk  wrote  in  to  the  editor  to  comment 
on  the  "fearful  disclosures  of  disease  and  even  death  brought  on  by 
giving  milk  to  children  from  cows  fed  on  refuse  of  distilleries."  This 
farmer,  0.  B.  Banning,  pointed  out  that  the  disease  was  traced  to  city 
cows  fed  on  distillery  refuse,  or  "poisoned  leavings  of  breweries."  He 
labeled  them  as  whiskey-sick  cows  and  stated  that  an  examination  of 
the  milk  under  a  microscope  revealed  an  incredible  state  of  conditions. 

Dr.  Guy  T.  Adams  practiced  here  for  nine  years  beginning  in  1895. 
He  died  of  pneumonia  in  1904. 


SINGULAR  FAMILY  SUCCESSIONS 

Mendota  has  had  a  number  of  singular  father-to-son  relationships 
in  medicine  over  the  years.  There  were  five  Doctor  Cooks  .  .  .  three 
Doctor  Corbuses  .  .  .  two  Doctor  Mclntyres  .  .  .  two  Doctor  Harrises 
.  .  .  and  two  Doctor  Edwards  (one  of  them  a  dentist). 

Dr.  Joseph  W.  Edwards,  who  came  to  Mendota  in  1854,  was  the 
first  physician  and  surgeon  to  locate  in  this  community.  He  attended 
McKendry  College  at  Lebanon  and  was  graduated  from  Rush  Medical 
College  in  Chicago.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  in  1861,  Dr. 
Edwards  volunteered  for  service  and  was  appointed  to  the  40th  Illinois 
Infantry  as  a  staff  surgeon.  At  one  time  he  was  surgeon  at  one  of  the 
hospitals  in  Memphis. 

The  work  which  he  was  called  upon  to  perform  in  those  years  of 
army  duty  gave  him  an  experience  which  was  of  great  value  in  private 
practice.  He  was  considered  one  of  the  best  surgeons  in  this  part  of 
the  country.  Dr.  Edwards  was  always  a  great  student  of  medicine 
and  was  the  first  physician  in  this  area  to  possess  a  high-powered 
microscope  by  which  he  could  detect  bacteria  in  samples  which  were 
sent  to  him  by  doctors  from  various  cities  and  towns. 

Dr.  Edwards  was  also  a  great  lover  of  flowers  and  the  beauties 
of  nature.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  when  the 
Lincoln  School  was  erected,  and  served  as  alderman  in  his  ward. 
Active  in  fraternal  affairs,  he  was  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason  and 
held  many  important  posts  in  the  local  lodge.  He  died  on  September 
8,  1925  at  the  age  of  93  years. 

Dr.  Guy  Judson  Wormley,  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medical  College 
in  Chicago,  opened  an  office  with  Dr.  Edwards  here  on  April  1,  1893. 


314 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


FIVE  DOCTOR  COOKS 

for  nearly  100  years  descendants  of  William  John  Cook,  M.D., 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Mendota.  And  during  that  span 
of  nearly  a  century,  from  1854  to  1953,  five  Cooks  attended  medical 
needs  of  residents  in  this  Illinois  community. 

Opposition  to  slavery  in  the  southern  states  started  William  John 
Cook  on  a  westward  trek  that  ended  when  he  located  in  Mendota  in 
1854  to  become  an  early  member  of  the  town's  medical  profession. 

Born  in  1793  in  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  he  attended  the  Univer- 
sity of  Maryland  where,  in  1827,  he  received  his  degree  in  medicine. 
Later  he  and  his  family  resided  on  a  plantation  near  Wellsburg,  Vir- 
ginia, now  West  Virginia,  but  because  both  he  and  his  wife  opposed 
the  holding  of  slaves,  the  family  moved  on  to  East  Springfield,  Ohio. 
On  the  death  of  his  wife  the  family  traveled  to  Mendota  and  settled 
here.  William  John  Cook  practiced  medicine  in  Mendota  until  his 
death  in  1871.  He  had  four  sons,  Edgar  Pumphrey,  William,  David 
and  John  who  died  of  a  Civil  war  bullet  wound  incurred  in  Georgia. 

Of  the  four  sons,  one,  Edgar  Pumphrey  studied  medicine.  Born 
in  Wellsburg  in  1833  he  went  with  his  family  to  East  Springfield, 
Ohio,  but  returned  east  to  attend  a  boarding  school.  He  was  graduated 
in  medicine  from  Western  Reserve  university  at  Cleveland,  in  1854, 
the  youngest  member  of  his  class.  The  next  year  he  came  to  Mendota 
to  practice  medicine  with  his  father. 

During  the  Civil  war  Edgar  Pumphrey  Cook  was  appointed  a 
surgeon  in  the  service  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  after  the  battle  of 
Shiloh  was  ordered  to  field  duty  near  Corinth,  Mississippi,  with  a  regi- 
ment of  Illinois  Volunteers. 

While  still  a  young  physician  he  performed  the  first  successful 
laryngotomy  in  the  west  and  one  of  the  early  successful  operations  for 
ectopic  gestation  in  the  United  States.  In  1879  he  was  elected  president 
of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  society. 

He  was  for  many  years  president  of  the  Mendota  Public  Library 
board  and  Cemetery  association.  In  1895  he  served  as  a  member  of 
the  city  council,  and  due  to  his  efforts  Mendota  undertook  construc- 
tion of  its  first  sewer  system. 

Edgar  Pumphrey  Cook  died  October  31,  1902,  and  was  survived 
by  Charles  Edgar  and  Edgar  P.,  both  of  whom  practiced  medicine 
with  their  father  in  Mendota,  Wells  M.,  who  later  became  a  prominent 
Chicago  judge,  William,  George,  Mrs.  Virginia  C.  Okey  and  Mrs.  Kath- 
erine  C.  Haskell. 

The  second  Edgar  Pumphrey  Cook,  known  later  as  both  a  brilliant 
and  positive  individual,  was  born  August  18,  1870,  in  Mendota.    He 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         315 


attended  public  schools  and  was  graduated  from  Blackstone  high 
school  in  1888.  He  then  attended  Northwestern  university,  and  was 
graduated  from  there  with  honors  in  1892.  At  Northwestern  he  was 
selected  for  membership  in  Phi  Beta  Kappa,  an  honorary  scholastic 
society.  Thereafter  he  entered  the  Chicago  Medical  college  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  1895  and  at  which  he  served  as  an  associate  pro- 
fessor for  several  years.  On  graduation  from  medical  school  he  took 
post  graduate  study  at  Johns  Hopkins  university  and  later  was  named 
chief  interne  at  Cook  County  hospital,  Chicago.  In  addition  he  pur- 
sued his  medical  studies  in  Berlin,  Germany,  and  Vienna,  Austria. 

Dr.  E.  P.  Cook  married  in  1917  but  his  wife  and  infant  child  died 
in  1918  during  the  influenza  epidemic.  He  died  in  1923  of  an  illness 
contracted  while  attempting  to  save  the  life  of  another. 


DR.  CHARLES  E.  COOK 

Charles  E.  Cook,  brother  of  the  second  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook,  estab- 
lished Mendota's  first  hospital  facilities  in  the  Cook  home  at  the  corner 
of  Indiana  avenue  and  Jefferson  street.  Crude  as  such  facilities  may 
have  been  by  modern  standards,  the  hospital  pointed  up  the  fact  that 
the  practice  of  medicine  was  leaving  the  horse  and  buggy  era  and 
entering  a  new  period.  Surgery  was  leaving  the  kitchen  table  and 
finding  the  convenience  and  safety  of  new  tools  and  methods.  "Doctor 
Charlie"  and  his  brother,  "Doctor  E.  P.",  served  medicine  during  that 
period  of  rapid  transition. 

Charles  E.  Cook  was  born  April  19,  1859,  in  Mendota  where  he 
attended  public  schools  and  the  Wartburg  seminary.  During  his  boy- 
hood Mendota  was  an  educational  and  cultural  center,  and  it  was  dur- 
ing his  early  years  that  he  gained  a  love  for  research  into  music,  litera- 
ture and  the  natural  sciences. 

Later,  in  1879,  he  was  graduated  from  Northwestern  university. 
He  then  went  on  to  study  medicine  at  the  Chicago  Medical  college. 
After  receiving  his  medical  degree  in  1881  he  took  additional  medical 
training  in  Germany  and  Austria  for  two  years.  He  then  returned  to 
Mendota  to  practice  medicine  for  the  next  50  years. 

Of  scholarly  disposition,  Dr.  Charles  E.  Cook  was  well  acquainted 
with  leading  thinkers  of  his  time.  He  was  a  linguist,  learned  but  not 
aloof.  His  leisure  hours  were  often  spent  studying  Illinois  plants 
and  wildlife  or  encouraging  others  to  broaden  their  cultural  horizons. 
He  was  also  active  in  civic  affairs  having  served  on  the  Blackstone 
school  board  and  as  a  member  of  the  library  board.    Dr.  Charles  E. 


316 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Cook  died  in  1931  leaving  behind  two  sons,  Edgar  Charles  and  Allan 
Wylie. 


Last  in  the  succession  of  Cooks  to  practice  medicine  in  Mendota 
was  Dr.  Edgar  Charles  Cook  who  died  in  this  Centennial  year,  1953. 

Edgar  Charles  Cook  was  born  June  24,  1889,  in  Mendota  where 
he  attended  public  schools,  graduating  from  the  Blackstone  high 
school  in  1907.  He  then  entered  Lake  Forest  college  and  was  grad- 
uated from  that  school  in  1911. 

His  medical  education  was  undertaken  at  the  Harvard  medical 
school,  Boston,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1915.  His  interneship 
was  completed  at  the  Massachusetts  General  hospital.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Mendota  where  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  with  his 
father.  Shortly  thereafter  he  entered  the  medical  corps  of  the  United 
States  army  as  a  first  lieutenant,  and  served  in  France  during  World 
War  I.  Returning  to  Mendota  in  1919,  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
medicine  first  in  his  father's  office  and  later  in  the  office  built  by  his 
grandfather  at  805  Jefferson  street. 

For  many  years  he  served  as  a  councilor  of  the  Illinois  State 
Medical  society,  and  held  office  in  the  LaSalle  County  Medical  society. 

In  1927  and  1930  Dr.  Cook  attended  educational  medical  clinics 
in  England,  Germany,  Austria  and  France.  By  means  of  such  study 
he  was  able  to  keep  abreast  of  modern  medicine  in  a  time  when  medi- 
cal science  was  advancing  rapidly  both  in  the  United  States  and  abroad. 

During  his  later  years  he  devoted  time  and  effort  to  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Mendota  Community  hospital,  and  he  served  as  a  member 
of  the  board  of  directors  of  that  institution  until  his  death  on  February 
6,  1953.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Graves  Public  library  board. 
In  addition  he  held  membership  in  many  other  organizations  working 
for  the  betterment  of  the  Mendota  community. 

A  man  of  broad  intellectual  achievement,  Dr.  Edgar  Charles  Cook 
found  time  to  devote  to  the  study  of  a  multitude  of  subjects  ranging 
from  archeology  to  music. 


THE  DOCTORS  CORBUS 

Dr.  John  C.  Corbus  was  born  September  30,  1833,  at  Millersburg, 
Ohio,  where  he  attended  public  schools  and  the  local  academy.  Upon 
graduating  from  the  Medical  Department  of  Western  Reserve  Univer- 
sity at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  he  located  at  Orville,  Ohio,  but  after  one  year 
moved  to  Lee  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  five  years. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


317 


In  1862,  Dr.  Corbus  was  appointed  First  Assistant  Surgeon  of 
the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  nine  months  later 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Surgeon.  Ill  health,  however,  forced 
him  to  resign  and  in  1863  he  settled  in  Mendota  where  he  built  up 
a  large  practice. 

On  April  29,  1865,  Dr.  J.  C.  Corbus  and  Dr.  J.  R.  Corbus  formed 
a  partnership  with  offices  on  Washington  St.  On  May  17,  1866,  Drs. 
J.  C.  Corbus,  E.  P.  Cook  and  J.  W.  Edwards  were  appointed  as  mem- 
bers of  the  first  Board  of  Health  in  Mendota. 

On  February  6,  1899,  Dr.  Corbus  was  appointed  Superintendent 
of  the  Illinois  State  Hospital  at  Kankakee,  where  he  served  for  many 
years.  Later  he  returned  to  Mendota  and  re-established  private 
practice  here. 

Active  in  medical  and  fraternal  circles,  Dr.  Corbus  was  president 
of  the  Illinois  State  Board  of  Charities  for  12  years,  member  of  the 
Illinois  State  Medical  society  and  other  state  organizations.  He  was 
president  of  the  Mendota  school  board  for  several  years,  member  of 
the  Masons,  and  a  Knight  Templar. 

In  1870  he  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Minerva 
McFarland  who  died  in  Mendota  in  1891.  Later,  he  married  Mrs. 
Helen  E.  Ruggles,  widow  of  Robert  Ruggles  of  Mendota. 


The  most  recent  Doctor  Corbus  was  Dr.  J.  C.  Corbus,  son  of  Dr. 
John  Clark  Corbus  and  Minerva  C.  McFarland  Corbus,  who  was  born 
in  Malugin's  Grove  in  Brooklyn  township  and  who  moved  at  the  age 
of  six  to  Mendota  with  his  parents.  He  was  graduated  in  medicine 
from  the  University  of  Iowa,  practiced  at  Ozark  county,  Missouri, 
then  at  LaMoille.  On  April  18,  1890,  he  was  married  to  Jeanie  A. 
Wylie  and  moved  to  Troy  Grove  where  he  practiced  for  six  years. 

Dr.  Corbus  then  moved  to  Mendota  where  he  practiced  for  37 
years.  He  was  active  in  medical  societies,  in  Masonic  lodges,  Elks,  and 
Kiwanis.  He  passed  away  in  a  hospital  in  Chicago  in  1933,  and  was 
buried  in  Mendota. 


DR.  O.  P.  HARRIS,  DR.  CHARLES  HARRIS 

Dr.  Oscar  P.  Harris  was  born  near  Arlington,  Bureau  County,  in 
1870.  When  he  was  a  year  old,  his  parents  moved  to  a  farm  north  of 
Mendota.  He  attended  the  country  schools  and  later  East  Mendota 
High  School  where  he  graduated  in  1887.    Although  the  school  was 


318         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


six  miles  from  his  home,  Dr.  Harris  is  remembered  as  never  being 
absent  or  tardy. 

After  completing  high  school,  he  worked  as  a  fireman  on  the 
Burlington  Railroad  and  later  did  farm  work.  Upon  deciding  to  be- 
come a  doctor,  he  attended  the  University  of  Chicago  and  then  Rush 
Medical  College  from  which  he  graduated  in  1902.  That  same  year 
he  returned  to  Mendota  and  became  associated  with  Dr.  Joseph  W. 
Edwards.  Several  years  later,  Dr.  Harris  opened  his  own  office,  and 
in  1918  built  and  occupied  Harris  Hospital.  During  his  life  as  a 
doctor,  Dr.  Harris  delivered  2,881  babies  in  this  community.  Dr. 
Harris  served  on  the  School  Board,  as  an  alderman,  and  was  also 
city  physician  for  a  number  of  years.     He  died  October  27,  1933. 

•         #         • 

Dr.  Charles  0.  Harris  is  the  nephew  of  Dr.  0.  P.  Harris.  Reared 
near  Triumph,  he  graduated  from  Mendota  high  school  in  1921  and 
through  the  influence  of  his  uncle,  Dr.  0.  P.  Harris,  he  entered  the 
University  of  Chicago,  majoring  in  chemistry  and  botany.  He  was 
graduated  from  Rush  Medical  school  in  Chicago  in  1927,  having  com- 
pleted his  course  one  year  early  by  attending  summer  schools.  He 
served  a  five  months  internship  in  pathology  at  St.  Luke's  hospital  in 
Chicago,  and  later  at  Cook  county  hospital.  At  the  age  of  27  he  entered 
practice  in  Mendota  with  his  uncle,  in  1929. 

He  has  carried  on  farming  activities  the  past  15  years  with  his 
brother,  George.  He  was  active  in  the  organization  of  the  First  State 
bank,  being  its  first  and  continuous  president.  He  is  a  charter  member 
of  the  Lions  club. 

With  Dr.  0.  P.  Harris  he  assisted  in  the  management  of  the 
Harris  hospital,  guiding  it  alone  after  the  death  of  Mrs.  0.  P.  Harris. 
He  worked  hard  and  gave  generously  in  achieving  the  new  community 
hospital,  and  served  as  head  of  the  staff  until  1953. 

A  modern  clinic  and  office  building  was  built  by  Dr.  Harris  in 
association  with  Dr.  R.  H.  Musick.  This  is  located  at  601  Fifth  avenue, 
and  was  opened  in  1951.  It  offers  office  facilities  for  office  consulta- 
tion, but  essentially  all  laboratory  work  is  done  in  the  community 
hospital  laboratory. 


THE  DOCTORS  McINTYRE 

Dr.  A.  C.  Mclntyre  was  born  in  Mendota  on  September  24,  1872, 
the  son  of  Elbridge  and  Ella  Mclntyre.  He  attended  the  local  public 
schools  and  was  graduated  from  East  Mendota  High  School  in  1890. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         319 


After  graduation  from  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in 
Chicago  in  1902,  Dr.  Mclntyre  first  practiced  at  Troy  Grove.  Later 
he  went  abroad  and  studied  in  clinics  at  Edinborough,  London  and 
Berlin.  He  returned  to  Mendota  in  1909  and  established  a  practice 
here. 

Prominent  in  fraternal  orders  and  social  circles,  Dr.  Mclntyre 
was  a  member  of  Mendota  Kiwanis,  Isaac  Walton  League,  Elks,  Ma- 
sons, White  Shrine,  Eastern  Star,  Odd  Fellows,  Mystic  Workers  and 
Modern  Woodmen.  His  wife  was  the  former  Miss  Flora  Snyder. 
He  had  one  son,  Elbridge,  who  also  entered  the  medical  profession. 

Dr.   Mclntyre  practiced  here  until  his  death  on  May  18,  1929. 


Dr.  Elbridge  Mclntyre,  the  son  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  A.  C.  Mclntyre, 
attended  medical  school  in  Chicago  and  practiced  there  for  several  years. 
Later  he  returned  to  Mendota  and  practiced  medicine  here  for  a  short 
time  until  he  established  an  office  in  Princeton  where  his  death  occurred. 


Dr.  John  H.  Edgcomb,  though  not  a  practicing  physician  in 
Mendota,  was  born  here.  His  mother,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
D.  L.  Harris,  pioneer  residents  of  Mendota,  died  when  he  was  three 
years  old.  He  received  his  medical  education  in  Chicago,  served  with 
the  Army  Medical  Corps  in  World  War  I,  and  then  moved  to  Ottawa 
where  he  practiced  for  31  years.  He  was  known  especially  for  his 
great  skill  as  a  surgeon.  He  retired  from  practice  in  1946  and  later 
served  two  terms  as  president  of  the  Ottawa  high  school  board  of 
education.  He  was  candidate  for  mayor  of  Ottawa  the  year  of  his 
death,  1952. 

Dr.  W.  M.  Avery  got  his  education  at  Northern  Illinois  Normal 
college,  Dixon,  and  after  teaching  several  years,  studied  medicine  at 
Rush  medical  college,  at  Chicago.  He  was  graduated  in  1901.  He 
started  practice  with  Dr.  Chandler  at  Paw  Paw  in  1906  and  moved 
to  Mendota  in  1927. 

Dr.  Elliott  Faulk  was  born  in  Belgium  in  1913.  He  received  his 
medical  education  at  the  University  of  Paris  and  at  Cook  County  hos- 
pital in  Chicago.  He  practiced  in  Athens,  Illinois  and  later  moved  to 
Rochelle.  After  serving  in  World  War  II,  he  returned  to  Rochelle. 
He  moved  to  Mendota  with  his  family  in  April,  1950. 

Dr.  M.  Gleason  received  his  medical  education  at  Creighton  medi- 
cal school,  Omaha.  He  was  a  major  in  the  Medical  Corps  from  Sep- 
tember, 1942,  until  February,  1946.  He  practiced  in  Mendota  from 
1929  until  his  death,  December  25,  1950. 


320         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Dr.  J.  F.  Wacker  received  his  medical  education  at  the  University 
of  Illinois.  He  started  practice  in  Mendota  in  August,  1951,  in  the 
office  of  Dr.  Edgar  C.  Cook. 

Dr.  R.  H.  Musick  received  his  medical  education  at  Northwestern 
University  school  of  medicine.  He  served  as  captain  in  the  Medical 
Corps  from  May,  1942,  until  December,  1945.  He  started  practice  in 
Mendota  in  January,  1934.  He  is  associated  with  Dr.  Charles  Harris 
at  the  Harris  and  Musick  clinic. 


BEFORE  HOSPITALS 

Before  any  hospital  facilities  were  available  in  Mendota,  patients 
were  cared  for  in  their  homes.  When  surgery  was  indicated,  the 
nurse  and  doctor  made  the  necessary  preparations  a  day  in  advance. 
The  room  was  thoroughly  cleaned.  Everything  that  could  be  stuffed 
into  a  boiler  was  sterilized.  Kitchen  table  was  scrubbed  and  used  as 
an  operating  table. 

Later  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook  installed  some  surgical  equipment  in  a  room 
adjoining  his  office.  This  room  contained  a  bed  where  patients  were 
sometimes  kept  until  they  could  be  taken  home. 

Because  Dr.  Cook  was  the  city  physician  he  was  called  for  acci- 
dent cases  involving  transients.  On  one  occasion  a  man  was  struck 
by  a  train.  He  was  taken  to  Dr.  Cook's  office  where  a  foot  was  ampu- 
tated. No  registered  nurse  was  available;  so  Dr.  Cook  sent  for  Nettie 
Theurer,  who  "had  always  wanted  to  be  a  nurse."  Miss  Theurer 
nursed  the  man  back  to  health,  the  beginning  of  a  long  and  useful 
career  as  a  friend  and  helper  to  the  sick  in  Mendota. 

At  one  time  rumor  was  rife  that  a  patient  had  small  pox.  It  was 
actually  chicken  pox,  but  townspeople  were  suspicious  and  frightened. 
Dr.  Cook  promptly  called  a  mass  meeting  and  showed  pictures  of  both 
diseases  and  explained  the  difference  between  the  two  poxes.  A  panic 
was  averted. 

Once,  while  attending  a  formal  party,  Dr.  E.  P.  Cook  was  called 
on  an  obstetric  case.  He  rushed  to  the  home,  still  dressed  in  white 
tie  and  tails.  He  rolled  up  his  sleeves,  delivered  the  baby,  and  calmly 
returned  to  the  party. 

Along  in  the  late  80's  there  was  talk  of  converting  the  old  Men- 
dota College  building  into  a  hospital,  but  the  plans  never  materialized. 

Not  until  1918  did  Mendota  have  a  full-fledged  hospital,  and  this 
was  built  by  the  private  means  of  Dr.  0.  P.  Harris.  Though  operated 
as  a  private  hospital,  it  was  in  reality  a  community  hospital  and  losses 
were  sustained  by  Dr.  Harris. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         321 


HARRIS  HOSPITAL  BUILT 

When  built  the  Harris  hospital,  located  on  Sixth  street,  was  one 
of  the  most  modern  and  completely  equipped  for  a  town  of  the  size 
of  Mendota.  The  plans  were  worked  out  by  Mrs.  Harris  and  her 
brother,  Albert  Crisler.  The  cost  was  $50,000  and  Mrs.  Harris  was 
business  manager.  Construction  work  was  carried  on  by  Albert  and 
Clarence  Crisler.  The  hospital  had  20  beds,  and  was  open  to  all  com- 
munity physicians  and  surgeons. 

Prior  to  construction  of  the  hospital  Dr.  Harris  cared  for  his 
patients  in  a  house  across  the  backyard  from  the  new  hospital.  It  was 
equipped  with  a  small  operating  room,  examination  rooms,  and  all 
other  facilities.  This  stimulated  the  demand  for  a  modern  hospital 
building. 

Operating  a  hospital  alone  was  a  gigantic  responsibility.  The 
management  cares  were  great,  and  it  seems  unbelievable  now  in  these 
days  of  hospitalization  that  the  Harris  Hospital  ever  lacked  for  pat- 
ronage. But  it  is  a  fact  that  in  1925  Dr.  Harris  was  losing  large  sums 
each  year  on  the  hospital.  A  public  appeal  was  put  on  to  stimulate 
patronage  of  the  hospital  so  that  it  could  remain  open.  Dr.  Harris 
stated  frankly  that  if  not  used  more  widely  it  would  have  to  be  closed. 
This  stimulated  interest  and  the  public  contributed  canned  foods  and 
other  needs  so  that  it  could  be  retained  as  a  community  hospital. 

Thereafter  it  became  busier  and  more  widely  used,  to  the  point 
that  in  the  late  30's  and  early  40's  it  was  inadequate,  both  in  size  and 
in  equipment,  for  the  demands  made  upon  it.  Patients  frequently  had 
to  wait  for  rooms,  or  be  hospitalized  in  the  hallways. 


STEPS  TOWARD  A  NEW  HOSPITAL 

In  the  late  Autumn  of  1940  it  became  apparent  that  the  Harris 
hospital  was  showing  its  inadequacy  as  to  size  and  modern  facilities. 
Several  public-minded  citizens  of  the  community  became  interested  in 
expansion  of  modern  hospital  facilities,  so  that  in  January.  1941,  a  com- 
mittee of  representatives  of  various  civic  and  church  organizations, 
physicians,  city  officials  and  businessmen  met  and  discussed  the  matter. 
The  need  for  increased  and  improved  hospital  facilities  in  the  com- 
munity became  well  known  and  was  discussed  frequently. 

In  the  early  spring  of  1941,  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Walsh,  hospital  con- 
sultant of  Chicago,  was  asked  to  conduct  a  survey  of  the  community 
as  to  the  need  of  better  hospital  facilities.    The  results  of  the  survey 


322         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


revealed  that  the  community  was  indeed  in  need  of  a  hospital.  The 
committee  thought  it  best  to  defer  action  at  this  time  because  of  the 
war. 

On  March  2,  1944,  the  members  of  the  Mendota  Lodge  No.  1212, 
B.  P.  0.  E.,  recognizing  the  need  for  a  stimulus,  voted  the  sum  of 
$30,000,  subject  to  certain  definite  action  being  taken  within  three 
years  after  the  close  of  World  War  II. 

With  this  appropriation,  proper  means  were  taken  to  incorporate 
a  not-for-profit  corporation.  With  this  accomplishment  the  H.  D. 
Conkey  &  Co.,  a  local  industry,  expressed  their  desire  to  contribute 
$10,000  to  support  the  program. 

The  state  charter  was  received  on  March  25,  1944;  thus  the  initial 
step  to  make  a  hospital  for  the  community  of  Mendota  a  reality. 

A  corporation,  not-for-profit,  known  as  the  Mendota  Hospital 
Foundation,  had  come  into  being  by  a  petition  filed  by  17  interested 
citizens,  known  as  the  Incorporators,  with  the  Secretary  of  State  of 
Illinois. 

The  organization  meeting  of  the  Mendota  Hospital  Foundation 
was  held  on  March  30,  1944.  L.  J.  Oester  was  acting  chairman.  The 
main  purpose  of  this  meeting  was  the  election  of  temporary  officers. 

At  this  time  the  temporary  officers  appointed  committees  necessary 
to  report  with  reference  to  classes  of  membership,  constitution,  by- 
laws and  any  other  matter  which  might  properly  be  presented  at  the 
next  meeting.  After  much  discussion  it  was  agreed  that  an  open  mind 
be  maintained  as  to  what  type  of  hospital  was  to  be  our  objective. 

The  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  Mendota  Hospital  Foundation 
were  adopted  April  28,  1944. 

R.  W.  Conkey,  J.  L.  Schaller  and  O.  J.  Ellingen,  were  elected  as 
president,  vice-president,  and  secretary-treasurer,  respectively.  They 
served  as  temporary,  then  permanent,  officers  until  the  annual  meeting 
in  April,  1945. 

The  fund-raising  committee  was  appointed  on  April  2,  1945.  They 
began  work  immediately  with  the  aid  of  some  35  people.  Approxi- 
mately 8,900  pieces  of  publicity  matter,  pertaining  to  needed  funds, 
were  mailed  to  the  residents  of  the  community.  In  August  1945,  Mr. 
Ellingen  reported  that  $100,000  had  been  subscribed  during  the  first 
fund-raising  program. 

It  was  the  consensus  that  if  an  architect  and  a  site  committee 
were  appointed  and  if  they  would  work  hand-in-hand  in  order  to  pre- 
sent some  kind  of  a  sketch  in  the  near  future,  the  fund-raising  com- 
mittee would  have  a  more  desirable  approach  to  future  contributors. 

In  January  1945,  the  firm  of  Berger,  Samuelson  and  Kelly  were 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         323 


employed  to  be  the  architects.  The  site  committee  was  also  at  work 
obtaining  possible  sites  and  options  on  same. 

The  first  annual  meeting  was  held  April  27,  1945.  The  reports 
showed  that  there  were  1,477  individual  subscriptions  totaling  $153,- 
380.40,  of  which  $123,755  had  been  paid  in  as  of  April  1,  1945.  There 
were  527  Life  Members,  i.e.  single  contributions  of  $100  or  more,  766 
Annual  Members,  i.e.  single  contributions  of  $10  or  more,  and  184 
contributors  of  less  than  $10  each. 

The  following  were  elected  to  serve  on  the  board  of  governors: 
R.  W.  Conkey,  O.  J.  Ellingen,  J.  L.  Schaller,  for  3  years;  Dr.  E.  C. 
Cook,  Dr.  C.  0.  Harris,  and  Dr.  W.  M.  Avery,  for  2  years;  W.  G.  Van 
Etten,  Jos.  L.  Zolper,  and  K.  W.  Pohl  for  1  year. 

In  September,  1945,  the  site  committee,  together  with  architects, 
met  to  secure  appropriate  sites.  The  membership  voted  the  Wideman- 
Walter  site,  consisting  of  seven  acres,  to  be  the  most  desirable.  This 
property  was  purchased  at  $1,000  per  acre. 

What  was  to  be  the  size  of  the  proposed  hospital? — that  was  the 
question  being  asked  by  everyone  in  the  community. 

In  November  1945,  the  Foundation  dedicated  to  the  City  of  Men- 
dota  a  tract  of  land,  25'  north  and  south  and  650'  east  and  west,  along 
the  north  boundary  of  the  hospital  site,  with  the  stipulation  that  said 
tract  together  with  other  property  to  be  dedicated  by  other  owners 
adjacent  thereto,   shall  be  henceforth  known  as  Memorial  Drive. 

The  architect  was  asked  to  prepare  initial  plans  for  a  two-story, 
50-bed,  hospital  and  submit  them  by  January  15,  1946.  It  became 
apparent  at  this  time  that  it  was  the  intent  of  the  board  of  governors 
to  have  ready  by  April  1,  1946,  plans  and  specifications  for  prelim- 
inary work,  such  as  sewer,  water,  grading  and  landscaping,  and  ask 
for  bids  to  have  this  work  completed  in  the  summer  of  1946.  Also 
to  have  building  plans  and  specifications  ready  for  bids  in  February 
1947. 


PLANS  DRAWN  IN  1946 

In  January  1946,  the  initial  sketches  were  submitted.  It  was  agreed 
to  have  sketches  revised  to  come  within  $225,000  and  not  over  $250,- 
000  for  a  completed  building  less  furnishings,  even  if  it  were  necessary 
to  revise  the  plans  from  50  to  40  beds,  with  provisions  for  expansion. 

In  April  1946,  the  architects  again  presented  two  plans,  one  of 
which  was  the  cross-shaped,  with  cross  off  center.  This  plan  was 
most  favorable  and  the  cost  was  less.   The  bed  capacity  was  44. 


324         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


At  the  second  annual  meeting,  April  1946,  the  membership  author- 
ized the  architects  to  proceed  with  the  plans  to  complete  the  founda- 
tion and  the  first  floor  concrete  span,  the  necessary  sewer  and  water 
connections  and  the  grading  and  landscaping. 

In  July  1946,  the  architects  presented  the  fifth  revised  plan  call- 
ing for  a  44  bed  hospital,  12  beds  and  10  bassinets  on  the  second 
floor.  This  plan  was  approved  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Public 
Health  and  the  Illinois  Department  of  Public  Health. 

In  September  1946,  the  architects  presented  one  complete  set  of 
plans  and  specifications  for  the  foundation  and  the  first  floor  concrete 
work  and  plumbing.  Also  one  enlarged  colored  drawing  of  the  pro- 
posed hospital. 

There  were  hopes  of  getting  Federal  and  State  aid,  but  these  were 
dimmed  because  of  the  wealth  in  the  community. 

At  the  third  annual  meeting  there  was  $175,000  on  hand. 

On  April  9th  the  building  was  staked  out.  The  Trompeter  com- 
pany was  awarded  the  contract  for  excavation  and  grading.  Work  was 
started  on  April  15,  1947. 

H.  Zolper  and  Sons  were  awarded  the  contract  for  the  concrete 
work,  i.e.,  the  foundation  and  the  first  floor  concrete  slab. 

Early  in  1948  an  additional  $6,000  was  raised,  but  funds  were  not 
sufficient  to  progress  with  the  building. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  April  1948,  it  became  apparent  that 
building  costs  were  rising  and  the  foregoing  program  had  dragged  to 
the  point  that  the  president  of  the  board,  R.  W.  Conkey,  felt  that  there 
were  too  many  cross-currents  that  would  continue  to  seriously  offset 
the  continuing  fund-raising  program.  The  membership  voted  to  have 
the  architects  visit  a  new  hospital  in  Minnesota  that  had  been  erected 
at  a  cost  of  $355,000  and  submit  revised  plans  and  specifications  by 
January  1949. 

On  March  11,  1949,  the  architects  submitted  a  new  set  of  plans 
and  specifications  designed  to  reduce  cost  to  the  very  minimum,  yet 
providing  32  beds  on  the  main  floor  and  14  beds  and  16  bassinets  on 
the  second  floor.  The  basement  was  to  be  finished  only  as  it  would 
be  necessary  to  function.  The  plans  also  involved  using  all  but  a 
small  section  of  the  foundation  providing  for  future  expansion. 

The  architects  were  instructed  to  advertise  for  bids  to  be  received 
on  April  19,  1949. 

Details  were  to  be  worked  out  regarding  a  fund-raising  campaign 
and  the  potential  cost  by  the  secretary,  Mr.  O.  J.  Ellingen. 

Bids  were  received  June  4,  1949:  the  general  contract,  $217,253; 
plumbing,  $35,555;   heating  and  ventilating,  $47,600;   and  electrical, 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         325 


$15,176.  We  learned  that  we  needed  $137,000  to  $200,000  additional 
before  our  hospital  would  become  a  reality  and  before  the  contracts 
were  to  be  awarded. 

At  the  fifth  annual  meeting  in  1949  there  was  $178,400  on  hand, 
in   addition  to  the  site,   sewer  installed,   some  landscaping  and  the 
foundation  and  footings. 

The  board  was  increased  to  18  members;  one  third  of  whom 
were  to  be  from  outside  of  the  city  limits  of  Mendota.  R.  W.  Conkey 
resigned  and  H.  D.  Hume  succeeded  him  as  president  of  the  board. 

The  directors  agreed  to  raise  the  additional  $137,000  by  personal 
solicitation. 

The  contracts  were  awarded  August  2,  1949,  and  work  began 
shortly  thereafter. 

On  August  15,  1949,  the  assets  were  $283,522.  The  new  finance 
committee  agreed  to  raise  $100,000  by  March  1st  1950.  At  this  time 
several  other  committees  were  appointed.  Namely,  the  building, 
grounds,  medical  and  non-medical. 

The  Mendota  Lodge  of  Elks  officiated  at  the  laying  of  the  corner- 
stone on  October  2,  1949. 

In  November  1949,  a  contract  was  awarded  to  enclose  the  south 
wing  72  feet  of  building,  less  all  partitions,  finish,  floors,  plaster, 
plumbing,  heating  and  electrical  work,  for  the  sum  of  $16,818. 

During  the  winter  of  1950,  the  work  progressed  quite  rapidly  due 
to  a  mild  winter.  All  committees  were  also  working  to  purchase  the 
best  equipment  for  the  least  amount  of  money. 

In  April  of  1949,  the  Foundation  again  applied  for  federal  aid 
but  was  refused.  The  sixth  annual  meeting  was  held  in  April  1950. 
The  finance  committee  had  raised  $67,000  since  November  1949.  The 
Woman's  Auxiliary  was  organized  in  December  1949.  Their  member- 
ship was  1,800  interested  women  of  the  community  by  April  1950. 

The  x-ray  and  sterilization  equipment  was  purchased  in  April 
1950.    The  structure  itself  was  well  under  way. 

The  membership  selected  a  name:  The  Mendota  Community  Hos- 
pital, as  a  memorial  to  all  who  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  in  World 
Wars  I  and  II. 

The  furniture,  laundry  and  kitchen  equipment  was  ordered  in 
July  1950. 

In  November  and  December  the  sum  of  $69,000  was  needed  but 
progress  was  rapidly  going  on  in  building  and  raising  the  necessary 
funds.    The  "Minute  Man"  campaign  was  over-subscribed. 

In  April  and  May,  1951,  the  building  was  opened  to  visitors  on 
Sundays  as  an  impetus  to  receive  additional  funds. 


326 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


The  seventh  annual  meeting  was  held  in  April  1951.  The  building 
was  99%  complete.  The  equipment  was  arriving  and  being  installed 
daily. 


DEDICATED  IN  JUNE,  1951 

The  dedication  ceremonies  were  held  on  June  10,  1951,  and  the 
formal  opening  was  on  June  14,  1951.  The  patients  of  Harris  hos- 
pital were  transferred  via  ambulance  on  the  afternoon  of  June  14. 
Mrs.  De  Lois  Gallisath  and  baby  girl  were  the  first  patients  to  be 
transferred  from  the  Harris  hospital.  John  Troupis  was  the  first 
patient  admitted  to  the  new  Mendota  Community  Hospital.  At  long 
last  our  new  hospital  had  become  a  reality. 

In  the  summer  of  1952  it  became  apparent  that  the  south  wing 
was  needed.  Plans  were  made  in  the  fall  and  winter  to  complete  this 
wing  as  soon  as  sufficient  funds  became  available.  Joseph  Zolper  is  in 
charge  of  construction. 

The  finance  committee  again  was  recalled  with  Harry  Fahler  as 
chairman,  and  again  raised  over  $50,000,  plus  additional  funds  for 
acoustone  tile  for  corridors  and  ceilings,  black  topping  for  parking 
area  and  other  smaller  projects  which  will  make  Mendota  Community 
an  even  finer  hospital. 

Miss  Minnie  Smith  was  the  first  hospital  administrator,  succeeded 
late  in  1952  by  Miss  Elizabeth  Schrei. 

Though  hundreds  worked  and  are  working  on  this  project  of 
mercy,  the  hospital  owes  much  to  the  guiding  genius  of  the  late  Otto 
J.  Ellin  gen. 


The  introduction  of  school  nursing  activities  did  not  come  about 
until  1935.  Several  years  previously  Dr.  Edgar  C.  Cook  and  W.  G. 
Van  Etten  urged  the  idea  of  a  community  or  school  nurse.  A  full  time 
nurse  was  employed  in  1935  to  serve  all  Mendota  schools.  Physical 
examinations  for  teachers  and  pupils  were  approved,  and  much  use- 
ful work  has  been  done  in  health  counselling,  covering  teeth,  eyes, 
diet,  and  the  general  physical  welfare  of  the  students.  Maryland  Pope 
has  been  the  school  nurse  for  a  number  of  years. 

Over  the  years  the  local  board  of  health  has  kept  a  vigilant  watch 
on  the  purity  of  the  water  supply,  establishment  of  a  municipal  sewage 
system,  sanitation  of  streets  and  alleys,  and  a  watch  over  food  and 
beverage    establishments.      Quarantines    for    contagious    diseases    has 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         327 


come  within  the  scope  of  the  work  of  the  city  physician.  Though 
seldom  practiced  today,  oldtimers  remember  the  compulsory  fumiga- 
tion of  homes  following  cases  of  communicable  diseases  and  children's 
diseases.  The  familiar  red  card  near  the  door  of  the  home  was  enough 
to  send  peddlers,  children,  and  unwary  visitors  scurrying  away,  hold- 
ing their  noses.  Vaccinations  and  other  immunization  procedures  of 
modern  medicine  has  done  away  with  many  of  the  practices  of  former 
years. 

Back  about  1926  the  old  brick  school  building  on  Fifth  street  was 
converted  into  a  maternity  hospital,  known  as  the  Lewis  and  Clarke 
hospital.  It  operated  several  years  but  was  finally  made  into  apart- 
ments. 

After  the  opening  of  the  new  Mendota  Community  hospital  the 
old  Harris  hospital  was  remodeled  into  a  comfortable  Lutheran  home. 

*         *         * 

Other  doctors  serving  Mendota  during  the  past  years  were  Dr. 
John  Leach  who  received  his  medical  education  at  the  University  of 
Wisconsin  medical  school.  He  came  to  Mendota  to  practice  in 
February,  1939,  being  associated  with  Dr.  Edgar  C.  Cook.  In  April 
1942  he  enlisted  in  the  Medical  Corps  and  after  his  discharge,  moved 
to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

Dr.  George  Rathbun  practiced  in  Mendota  from  1946  to  1949. 

Dr.  C.  A.  Fortier,  deceased,  practiced  in  Mendota  from  1919  until 
1924,  moving  to  Kewanee,  Illinois. 


Dr.  B.  C.  Hartford,  osteopathic  physician,  has  practiced  in  Mendota 
for  nearly  32  years.  He  was  graduated  from  the  American  School  of 

Osteopathy,  Kirksville,  Mo. 

*  *         * 

Chiropractors  now  in  Mendota  are  Victor  H.  Gillogly  and  Dr. 
J.  E.  Stanlaw.  For  several  years  Dr.  Lois  Weber  practiced  chiropractic 
here.  Dr.  Weber  is  blind,  and  she  went  about  with  the  aid  of  a  seeing- 

eye  dog. 

*  *         * 

Some  of  the  well-known  dentists  of  the  past  were  Dr.  B.  N.  Hughes, 
Dr.  Edwards,  Dr.  W.  M.  Wagner.  Dr.  Fred  Lukens  practiced  here  and 
left  to  become  a  naval  dentist.  Present  practicing  dentists  are  Dr.  B.  A. 
Etzbach,  Dr.  D.  H.  Mosher,  Dr.  Homer  Hopkins,  Dr.  W.  E.  McLaughlin, 
and  Dr.  Robert  J.  Krenz. 


328         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


"AND  THE  WHITE  CROSSES, 

ROW  ON  ROW" 


rob  ably  the  greatest  celebrities  who  ever  visited  Mendota  in 
its  100-year  history  were  President  U.  S.  Grant  and  Generals  William 
T.  Sherman  and  Phil  Sheridan. 

The  authority  for  the  fact  that  these  immortal  military  greats 
were  at  one  time  in  Mendota  is  gained  from  the  exciting  and  delightful 
memoirs  of  Mary  R.  Lawrence,  daughter  of  R.  N.  Woods  whose  family 
formerly  lived  in  Mendota. 

The  occasion  for  the  visit  of  President  Grant  and  Generals  Sher- 
man and  Sheridan  was  a  reception  at  the  Mendota  Baptist  church. 
Mrs.  Lawrence  describes  in  her  memoirs  the  imposing  6-foot-two-inch 
height  and  well  proportioned  physique  of  her  father,  and  says: 

"President  Grant  conceded  this  point,  for  as  father  shook  Grant's 
hand,  at  a  reception  tendered  the  President  who  was  accompanied  by 
Sherman  and  Phil  Sheridan  in  the  Baptist  church  in  Mendota,  Grant 
looked  up  at  father  and  said:    'What  a  fine  specimen  of  a  man!'  ' 

Then  Mrs.  Lawrence  added,  with  sly  humor,  that  notwithstanding 
this  compliment  her  father  would  not  vote  for  Grant  for  a  third  term 
presidency,  thinking  it  too  monarchial. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


329 


THE  CIVIL  WAR 

mendota  men  and  women  have  taken  part  in  wars  during  the  past 
century  to  keep  alive  the  "American  Dream".  We  are  the  only  surviv- 
ing nation  on  earth  that  had  its  origin  in  the  determination  of  the 
founding  fathers  to  establish  a  settlement  "with  religious  liberty  "and 
equal  opportunity  for  all  men." 

It  was  this  American  Dream  which  prompted  a  company  of 
around  100  men  to  be  organized  in  Mendota  after  Fort  Sumter  was 
fired  upon  by  the  Confederates  April  12,  1861.  Patriotism  ran  high 
for  it  seemed  to  the  people  of  Mendota  that  the  government  and  Old 
Glory  should  be  defended  at  all  hazards. 

The  fife  and  drum  were  heard  on  the  streets  of  Mendota  and 
the  company  of  men  was  drilled  here  for  several  days  before  leaving 
for  Springfield.  It  is  related  that  all  were  rather  green  in  regard  to 
military  affairs  and  it  was  laughable  to  see  the  performance.  In  fact, 
there  was  "as  much  awkwardness  shown  as  there  would  be  in  breaking 
a  pair  of  young  oxen"  in  those  days. 

The  company  left  Mendota  for  Springfield  on  April  19,  1861, 
and  the  excitement  in  town  was  beyond  description.  People  came 
flocking  into  town  from  all  the  surrounding  country  and  villages,  with 
flags  flying,  to  see  the  soldiers  start  off  for  war.  The  streets  were 
crowded  with  people  who  came  to  bid  the  soldiers  a  last  good-bye. 
Flags  were  unfurled  and  speeches  made  in  honor  of  their  departure. 


Presentation  of  the  Flag-  at  the  Freigfht  House. 
330         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


At  11  o'clock  all  who  had  enlisted  were  formed  in  two  ranks  in 
front  of  the  Illinois  Central  freight  house,  facing  toward  it,  when  a 
Miss  Davis,  who  stood  upon  a  raised  platform  at  the  northwest  corner 
of  the  building,  delivered  an  appropriate  address,  presenting  the  men 
with  an  elegant  flag  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Mendota.  This  was 
responded  to  in  a  happy  manner  in  behalf  of  the  company  by  L.  B. 
Crooker,  a  chubby  farmer  boy  about  20  years  of  age  who,  during  the 
war,  was  commissioned  captain. 

About  noon  the  Company  of  men  marched  to  the  depot  and  the 
crowd  of  people  bade  them  farewell  as  they  boarded  the  train  for 
Springfield.  This  company  became  Company  B  of  12th  Illinois 
Infantry  with  Col.  MacArthur  in  command,  who  was  later  commis- 
sioned Major  General. 

The  Mendota  company  contained  more  than  the  required  number 
of  men.  Among  the  surplus  bone  and  sinew  who  found  no  place  in 
the  home  company  were  L.  B.  Crooker,  James  W.  Larabee,  William 
Eckert,  George  C.  Loomis,  S.  P.  Whitmore  and  Henry  H.  Eby,  who 
were  determined  to  stick  together  and  stay  in  service.  They  began 
looking  around  for  an  opening  large  enough  to  hold  six  husky  farmer 
boys  and  it  was  finally  accomplished  by  entering  Company  H  of  the 
same  regiment,  the  12th  Illinois  Infantry.  Most  of  this  company  was 
from  Tiskilwa,  Illinois.  The  guns  received  by  these  companies  were 
of  the  old  kicking  variety  and  could  kick  equal  to  a  mule,  sometimes 
resulting  in  lame  shoulders. 

The  hardships  endured  by  soldiers  in  the  Civil  war  accounted  for 
many  deserters  and  some  from  the  Mendota  companies  passed  through 
here  on  their  way  to  a  refuge  in  Canada.  One  of  the  Mendota  deserters 
stopped  over  to  see  an  acquaintance  to  whom  he  told  these  facts.  He 
stated  they  were  armed  and  determined  to  die  rather  than  be  arrested. 
An  order  issued  March  28,  1863,  regarding  deserters  stated  "those 
who  have  been  absent  from  the  army  in  Illinois  who  give  themselves 
up  by  April  1  will  not  be  punished.  Those  who  do  not  will  be  dealt 
with  in  the  most  vigorous  manner  provided  by  law."  Undoubtedly, 
the  Mendota  men  thought  better  of  their  rash  deed  and  returned  to 
their  regiments. 


BOUNTIES  TO  LURE  VOLUNTEERS 

During  the  latter  years  of  the  Civil  war  bounties  were  paid  to 
volunteers  in  order  to  fill  the  draft  quota.  Mendota's  draft  quota  in 
February,   1865,  was  to   be   filled  by  volunteers.     $12,500  was  sub- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         331 


scribed  in  Mendota  to  pay  bounties  of  $400  to  each  volunteer.  If  not 
enough  volunteers  were  secured,  bounty  money  was  to  be  pro-rated 
among  drafted  men. 

During  the  Civil  War  Mendota  and  vicinity  figured  in  the  Under- 
ground Railway  which  was  the  name  applied  to  the  system  by  which 
the  fugitive  slaves  escaped  from  the  South  through  the  North  to  Canada. 
The  stations  were  farmhouses,  barns  and  cribs.  Farmers  were  the 
conductors  and  the  farmers'  horses  and  wagons  were  the  trains. 

The  story  of  underground  railroads  can  best  be  told  in  the  life 
story  of  a  man  born  in  slavery  who  lived  in  our  community  and  is 
probably  remembered  by  many  of  our  citizens.  He  was  an  old  negro 
whom  everybody  in  and  around  Mendota  respected.  Amos  Miller 
was  born  in  slavery  in  North  Carolina,  March  4,  1848.  Amos  grew 
up  to  see  a  lot  of  scenes  about  slavery  and  often  saw  men  and  women 
sold  by  their  masters  at  sales. 

Amos  feared  being  sold  or  being  shipped  to  Cuba;  so  he  planned 
to  run  away.  He  hid  in  a  grove  on  his  master's  plantation  for  a  week 
because  he  was  afraid  his  master  might  find  him  if  he  traveled  on 
right  away.  One  day  Amos'  mother,  who  had  heard  that  some  slave- 
holders were  coming  after  him,  came  to  the  place  where  he  was  hiding 
and  put  her  hand  on  his  head  and  told  him  to  leave  that  night,  and 
always  to  be  honest  and  do  what  is  right. 

That  night  he  left  his  master's  plantation  and  traveled  north  by 
way  of  the  underground  railway  till  he  came  to  the  Union  Army,  where 
he  faithfully  served  as  an  attendant  to  an  officer.  After  the  war  was 
over  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  later  to  Centralia  and  Chicago.  In  1877  he 
came  to  Mendota  where  he  made  his  home  until  his  death. 

Another  story  is  told  of  seven  negroes  of  Mendota  who  enlisted 
in  the  government  service  early  in  1864  and  started  in  company  with 
the  recruiting  officer  to  Joliet  to  be  mustered  in.  When  they  reached 
La  Salle  they  were  set  upon  by  a  gang  of  copperheads  and  driven  out 
of  the  city.  They  started  to  walk  to  Mendota,  but  owing  to  the  cold 
weather,  were  nearly  frozen  to  death  before  reaching  here. 


Uncle  John  and  Aunt  Fanny  were  escaped  slaves  who  lived  for 
years  in  a  small  cabin  at  the  edge  of  town.  This  couple  worked  out 
and  their  employers  sent  them  certain  portions  of  meat  whenever  a 
hog  was  butchered.  Another  slave  family  settled  near  a  family  named 
H.  S.  Clark.  These  slaves  had  no  surname;  so  they  adopted  the  name 
of  Clark  and  when  children  were  born  the  parents  named  them  after 
members   of  the  Clark  family,  an  intended  compliment. 


332  MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


HOW  PEACE  WAS  RECEIVED 

The  news  of  the  end  of  the  Civil  war  is  engagingly  related  by 
Mrs.  Anna  J.  Herrick,  who  now  resides  in  Cleveland  Heights,  Ohio. 
In  April,  1865,  she  was  nine  years  old  and  was  with  her  parents  in 
the  Presbyterian  church  listening  to  the  sermon  of  the  Rev.  Colmery. 
It  was  a  very  dull  sermon,  she  thought,  but  not  the  event  that  ensued. 
Mr.  Spear,  the  local  telegrapher,  entered  the  church  walking  with  a 
crutch.  He  went  up  the  aisle  and  handed  the  minister  a  yellow  enve- 
lope. Then  the  minister  read  to  the  congregation:  "Richmond  has 
fallen!" 

He  waited  a  moment  and  then  said,  "we  will  sing  Praise  God 
from  Whom  All  Blessings  Flow."  He  then  dismissed  the  congregation, 
the  women  in  tears  of  joy,  the  men  to  shout  as  long  as  their  lung- 
power  lasted.  The  next  night,  she  relates,  every  movable  piece  of 
wood  was  burned  as  the  town  rejoiced. 

During  the  war,  she  writes,  the  women  of  the  city  sent  all  their 
blankets  and  comforts  enthusiastically  to  the  soldiers,  little  cognizant 
that  they  themselves  would  need  them  next  winter  and  that  there  would 
be  no  cotton  coming  in  from  the  south  to  make  more.  They  had  to 
resort  to  the  Chicago  papers,  The  Inter-Ocean  and  Tribune,  for  news- 
paper lining  to  their  coats.  There  was  always  excitement  when  the 
trains  came  with  refugees  from  the  south.  Church  women  prepared 
food  for  these  refugees. 


Probably  the  best  remembered  Civil  war  veteran  in  Mendota  is 
Henry  H.  Eby  who  served  from  April,  1861,  to  October,  1864.  He 
later  became  author  when  in  1910  he  published  his  book  "Observa- 
tions of  an  Illinois  Boy  in  Battle,  Camp  and  Prison  —  1861  to  1865." 

This  book  has  undoubtedly  been  read  by  every  boy  and  girl  in 
Mendota  and  it  is  to  this  author  that  we  are  indebted  for  much  of 
the  information  regarding  the  part  taken  by  Mendota  people  in  the 
Civil  war. 

Another  Civil  war  veteran  well  remembered  by  Mendota  people 
is  Edwin  A.  Bowen  who  entered  the  Union  Army  in  1861  and  was  cap- 
tain in  52nd  Illinois  Infantry.  In  a  period  of  three  years  he  was 
promoted  to  rank  of  colonel.  He  later  became  president  of  the  First 
National  bank  of  Mendota  and  was  always  known  as  "Colonel  Bowen." 

The  women  of  Mendota  also  shared  in  the  war.  It  was  at  home 
that  they  labored  and  suffered.  The  father  went  to  the  front  and  the 
mother  was  called  upon  to  care  for  the  children  and  also  to  help  care 
for  the  wounded  and  sick  soldiers.     The  Mendota  Ladies  Aid  Society 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


333 


sent  a  barrel  of  eggs  to  sick  soldiers  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.  At 
the  request  of  Chicago  Sanitary  Commission  the  people  of  Mendota  sent 
onions,  potatoes,  pickles,  sauerkraut  and  dried  fruit  for  the  hospital  fleet 
near  Vicksburg,  where  the  soldiers  were  suffering  from  scurvy.  The 
ladies  prepared  dinners  for  regiments  passing  through  Mendota  on 
their  way  to  Chicago. 


MOURNING  FOR  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN 

When  news  reached  Mendota  by  telegraphic  dispatch  that  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  had  been  assassinated  all  stores  and  offices  closed.  Funeral 
ceremonies  for  President  Lincoln  were  held  in  Mendota,  Wednesday, 
April  19,  1865,  when  all  business  was  suspended;  streets,  depot  and 
hotel  were  draped  in  mourning. 

A  procession  formed  at  2  o'clock  led  by  Marshall  Dr.  J.  M. 
Hodges  and  his  assistant  D.  A.  Cook,  Capt.  L.  B.  Crooker  and  M.  S. 
Andress,  followed  by  clergymen  in  carriages,  Burkart's  brass  band  and 
Adam's  martial  band;  hearse  drawn  by  four  white  horses  with  fine 
portraits  of  deceased  president  surmounting  the  hearse,  containing  a 
coffin  beautifully  draped,  military  commanded  by  Capt.  Shaw;  German 
Benevolent  society  in  regalia,  Sons  of  Temperance  and  Good  Templars 
in  regalia;  town  authorities,  citizens,  Seminary  students  and  scholars 
of  public  schools. 

The  procession  went  up  Main  street  to  the  post  office,  around 
square  to  Washington  street,  up  Washington  street  to  Seminary,  thence 
to  Presbyterian  church  and  from  there  to  the  stand  on  Washington 
street  where  the  funeral  ceremonies  were  held. 

Two  men  were  arrested  in  Mendota  in  April,  1865,  for  disloyal 
utterances  in  relation  to  national  bereavement.  One  was  made  to  take 
oath  of  allegiance  in  public  street  and  released.  The  other  was  put  in 
the  calaboose  and  next  day  was  made  to  take  oath  of  allegiance  and 
given  two  hours  to  leave  town.  He  was  followed  to  the  depot  by  a 
procession  of  returned  soldiers  and  citizens  headed  by  a  martial  band 
playing  "Rogue's  March".  In  final  disgrace  a  placard  was  placed  on 
his  back  labeled:  "A  traitor  from  Mendota". 

The  scattering  numbers  in  which  soldiers  returned  home  from 
the  war  made  a  public  reception  impossible.  Memorial  services  were 
held  for  those  who  gave  their  lives  for  their  country,  on  Decoration 
Day  of  1870.  Early  in  the  day  delegations  commenced  arriving  in 
wagons  from  the  neighboring  towns.  The  noon  trains  also  brought  a 
large  number  of  people.    Fully  10,000  people  came  to  town,  it  is  said, 


334 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


but  there  were  no  disturbances  or  serious  accidents.     The  only  un- 
pleasantness of  the  day  was  the  dust. 

At  one  o'clock  all  stores  and  business  houses  were  closed  and 
the  marshals  commenced  forming  the  various  societies  in  procession. 
First  in  procession  was 

THE   MONUMENT 
which  was  19  feet  high  consisting  of  a  double  base;  on  the  various 
sides  of  which  were  inscribed  the  names  of  the   115  soldiers  from 
Mendota  and  vicinity  who  died  while  in  their  country's  service.    The 
list  is  as  follows: 


Co.  B  12th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers 


Capt.  J.  Tyler  Hale 
Joseph  Lee 
Charles  Irwin 
Wm.  Atwood 
Allen  Ruffington 
John  C.  Clink 
Wm.  Culver 
Wm.  Cumpston 
Henry  Doyle 
Mart  Messenger 
Steven  Spencer 


D.  H.  Pomroy 
J.  C.  Borthe 
Thos.  Welsh 
Wm.  Cooper 
James  Porter 
Fred  Weber 
John  Wilsey 
Jesse  F.  Hale 
Robert  Hale 
William  Bankes 
Nicholas  Coss 


John  Eckert 
Jacob  Hammerly 
David  E.  Jeffs 
Alex  Marry 
Edward  F.  O'Neill 
Wm.  H.  Goodrich 
Zachariah  Melugin 
Thomas  Richy 
Wm.  Holmona 
George  Cormar 
Patrick  Fitzgerald 
Henry  Kneicht 


Co.  C  104  Illinois  Volunteers 


Capt.  D.  C.  Rynearson 
A.  J.  Grover 
Thos.  Mclntire 
James  Logan 
Edwin  A.  Munson 
Duane  M.  Harris 
James  H.  Wilson 


Thos.  Hastings 
J.  P.  Saueressig 
David  Berkstresser 
Wm.  Van  Law 
Fred  Foot 
Francis  Zarr 
Hamilton  Golden 


A.  J.  Pool 
L.  W.  Clark 
Isaac  A.  Foot 
John  A.  Cook 
James  W.  Pomeroy 
Wash.  G.  Parker 


Eli  L.  Cook 
Jesse  A.  Carpenter 
George  W.  Crocker 


Co.  I  55th  Illinois  Volunteers 


Adam  Henline 

Chas.  Lull 

Wm.  Nagleschmidt 


Michael  Rayding 
Chas.  R.  Tansey 
Ariel  D.  White 


Co.  E  37th  Illinois  Volunteers 


Capt.  Henry  L.  Smith 
Lieut.  0.  R.  Powers 
Thos.  Newell 
Henry  M.  Gray 
Isaiah  Graffin 
John  W.  Moore 


Wm.  Nestin 
Daniel  Savage 
Sendric  Sprowl 
Fred  Grossheart 
Chas.  W.  Agler 
Chas.  W.  Rust 


Chas.  Osmer 
Silas  Bishop 
John  A.  Bishop 
Henry  Cories 
John  Lane 
George  Veach 
Wm.  Silvertooth 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


335 


Co.  A  57th  Illinois  Volunteers 

Chas.  W.  Billings  Philip  Moller  Samuel  Hough 

Philip  Boheler  Philip  Pontious  W.  W.  Rowin 

Dennis  Cooley  John  Sundles  Oley  Oleson 

George  Hartman  John  Tylor  Augustine  Wicker 

Clayton  Moodey  John  Wray 


Co.  K  75th  Illinois  Volunteers 

Lieut.  W.  H.  Thomson  Jacob  D.  Fuller  Francis  Mills 

Wm.  Baisley  Jacob  Gruss  Silas  Pringle 

Zora  Atherton  Benj.  F.  Kipp  Fletcher  Vickey 

G.  L.  Button  Joseph  Miller  C.  D.  Moodey 

Wm.  G.  Dean  Sidney  Merriman  Orson  D.  George 

George  Dermay  Wm.  Mclntyre 


Over  the  two  bases  of  the  monument  rose  an  obelisk  12  feet  in 
height  surmounted  by  an  urn,  the  whole  beautifully  draped  and  dec- 
orated by  wreaths  of  evergreens;  with  four  small  boys  at  each  corner 
of  the  monument  dressed  to  represent  the  four  arms  of  the  service, 
the  infantry,  the  cavalry,  the  navy  and  the  artillery.  Thus  made  up, 
the  monument  was  placed  on  a  draped  platform  and  mounted  on 
wheels,  the  whole  drawn  by  four  white  horses.  Following  the  monu- 
ment came  the  guard  of  honor,  made  up  of  a  company  of  24  veterans 
under  command  of  Lieut.  D.  A.  Andress,  which  in  full  uniform,  with 
muskets  reversed,  escorted  the  monument  to  its  final  destination  in  the 
cemetery. 

While  the  procession  was  being  formed,  the  various  church  bells 
in  the  city  were  tolled  in  unison  and  at  two  o'clock  the  column  or 
parade  over  a  mile  in  length  commenced  moving  in  following  order: 

Monument  and  Guard  of  Honor — Approximately  700  soldiers 
from  Mendota  and  vicinity — Clergy  of  Mendota  and  surrounding 
towns — Light  Guard  band  of  Chicago — Knight  Templars — Masons — 
Odd  Fellows — Western  Union  band — German  Benevolent  society — 
Good  Templars  and  Cold  Water  Templars — Martial  band — public  and 
private  school  children — citizens  on  foot — citizens  on  horseback  and 
in  carriages. 

As  the  procession  marched  into  the  cemetery  they  passed  in  suc- 
cession each  of  the  graves  of  the  dead  heroes  which  were  decorated 
with  flowers  and  to  the  stand  where  exercises  were  held. 

The  streets  still  being  thronged  with  citizens  in  the  evening  the 
two  brass  bands  played  several  pieces  on  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Washington  streets  and  the  people  assembled  in  front  of  the  Warner 
House  where  addresses  were  made  by  Rev.  Mr.  Haigh,  L.  B.  Crooker 
and  Mr.  Wilcox,  after  which  the  assemblage  was  dismissed  by  Colonel 


336 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Bowen,  marshall  of  the  day,  with  a  few  appropriate  remarks  in  which 
he  referred  to  the  impressive  ovation  of  the  day  as  an  evidence  of 
the  genuine  sympathy  and  respect  of  the  citizens  of  Mendota  and 
vicinity  for  the  memories  of  our  noble  dead  who  fell  in  defense  of 
our  country's  honor. 

In  later  years  a  monument  was  placed  in  Restland  cemetery 
which  is  familiar  to  all  of  us  with  the  following  inscription: 

"Erected  in  memory  of  the  Heroes  of  the  Rebellion 
1861  - 1865 

By  the  Women's  Relief  Corps,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 

the  Citizens  of  Mendota  and  vicinity." 

This  monument  was  designed  by  Henry  H.  Eby.  A  neighbor  of 
Mr.  Eby's,  who  lived  on  a  farm  east  of  Mendota  near  Mr.  Eby's  farm 
home,  well  recalls  visiting  him  one  evening  in  the  early  1900's  when, 
in  the  light  of  a  kerosene  lamp  and  the  warmth  and  glow  of  a  hard 
coal  stove  fire,  he  showed  her  the  miniature  wooden  carving  he  had 
made,  after  which  the  monument  was  patterned. 

The  G.A.R.  organization  met  regularly  in  the  basement  of  the 
Mendota  public  library  for  many  years.  They  usually  had  an  annual 
picnic  and  were  represented  at  the  national  and  state  conventions  of 
the  G.A.R.  The  Women's  Relief  Corps  was  also  active  in  Mendota 
for  many  years. 


SPANISH-AMERICAN  WAR 

when  president  MC  kinley  signed  a  bill  declaring  war  with 
Spain  April  25,  1898,  after  the  U.S.  battleship  Maine  had  been  fired 
upon  in  Havana  Harbor,  he  asked  for  125,000  volunteers  from  the 
state  governors.  Patriotism  ran  high  in  Mendota  and  many  of  the 
young  men  volunteered  to  protect  Old  Glory  and  what  it  stood  for, 
even  though  it  meant  leaving  the  shores  of  the  USA  for  the  Philippine 
Islands,   Cuba   and   Puerto   Rico. 

A  story  is  told  of  a  man  sitting  near  a  soldiers  monument  in  a 
park  at  that  time  reading  the  story  of  Spanish  cruelty  in  Cuba  when 
one  of  the  soldiers  on  the  monument  fell  from  the  pedestal  and  broke 
to  fragments.  The  people  felt  it  was  time  to  act  when  even  stone  images 
were  thus  moved  by  the  tales  of  Cuba. 

Sons  of  Veterans  of  Mendota  organized  a  volunteer  company 
and  offered  their  services  as  a  company  to  the  government.  All  re- 
cruits from  Mendota  were  accepted  at  Springfield  and  mustered  into 
the  U.S.  Army.    They  were  sent  to  Mobile,  Alabama,  and  then  on  to 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         337 


the  Philippines  where  they  were  a  credit  to  themselves,  their  home, 
their  country  and  their  flag. 

One  of  the  few  survivors  of  the  Spanish-American  war  now  living 
in  Mendota,  is  Mr.  George  Buell  who  was  a  member  of  the  National 
Guard  in  Red  Wing,  Minnesota,  when  the  war  broke  out  in  1898.  The 
story  of  his  experiences  is  interesting.  It  took  his  regiment  40  days 
to  reach  the  Philippine  Islands.  They  did  not  see  land  from  the  time 
they  left  the  Golden  Gate  in  San  Francisco  until  they  were  met  by  one 
of  Dewey's  fleet  at  Manila  bay.  They  were  notified  that  the  Spanish 
fleet  was  either  sunk  or  burned  in  Manila  bay  by  Dewey's  men  without 
a  single  American  killed  or  wounded. 

The  transport  landed  at  Manila  and  the  ten  regiments  aboard 
marched  a  mile  and  went  into  camp  in  a  field  nearby.  The  colonel 
furnished  them  with  bamboo  cots.  Later  they  were  in  trenches  for 
24  hours  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Manila  on  August  13,  1898, 
and  were  victorious.  They  were  ordered  to  move  into  Manila  and 
commence  policing  it,  in  capacity  of  provost  guard  until  enough  re- 
cruits were  trained  to  relieve  them. 


Most  of  the  Mendota  men  belonged  to  Company  K  and  an  elabo- 
rate homecoming  was  arranged  for  them  on  Wednesday,  September 
21,  1898.  Nearly  everyone  for  miles  around  Mendota  came  to  see  the 
return  of  these  heroes.  The  business  district  was  decorated  with  flags. 
All  telephone  and  electric  light  poles  were  wrapped  with  red,  white 
and  blue  bunting.  Each  business  house  decorated  its  store.  A  trium- 
phal arch  was  erected  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Washington  streets. 

The  train  carrying  our  returned  soldiers  left  Springfield  at  6:30 
a.  m.  on  that  eventful  September  21  and  as  the  train  moved  into  Men- 
dota from  the  south  the  cannon  boomed,  whistles  blew  and  bells  rang. 
Cheers  rang  from  thousands  of  throats,  flags  waved  from  a  thousand 
hands,  men  waved  their  hats  in  the  air  and  others  were  too  moved 
by  emotion  to  even  speak. 

Company  K  greeted  their  families  and  friends  and  then  marched 
through  ranks  of  320  east  side  school  children  carrying  American 
flags  and  baskets  filled  with  flowers  as  they  lined  up  along  Main  street 
in  two  columns  facing  each  other.  Supt.  W.  R.  Foster  was  in  command 
of  this  group  of  children.  The  Blackstone  school  children  came  down 
Washington  street  headed  by  the  Mendota  band  and  the  German  Catho- 
lic school  children  came  down  Jefferson  street  led  by  John  Goedtner. 
The  soldiers  were  greeted  by  these  children,  proceded  through  the 
triumphal  arch  down  Washington  street  to  the  Opera  House  where  a 
banquet  was  spread,  prepared  and  served  by  Mendota  ladies. 


338         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


WORLD  WAR  I 

when  the  united  states  officially  entered  World  War  I  on  April 
6,  1917,  the  news  spread  in  Mendota  like  wildfire.  This  conflict  had 
been  raging  among  other  nations  since  1914  and  now  involved  every 
continent.  In  sheer  magnitude  this  struggle  of  1914  to  1918  dwarfed 
every  one  that  had  gone  before. 

Almost  immediately  Mendota's  young  men  offered  their  services 
and  three  doctors,  Dr.  J.  C.  Corbus,  Dr.  C.  E.  Cook  and  Dr.  0.  P. 
Harris,  responded  to  the  call  by  joining  the  Reserve  Medical  Corps. 

Mendota  township  organized  a  Recruits  Welfare  association 
whose  object  was  to  aid  men  who  were  drafted  into  service  or  who 
enlisted.  A  recruiting  office  was  opened  with  headquarters  at  the  North- 
western Timber  Company  office  next  to  the  old  post  office.  The  Recruits 
Welfare  league  of  Mendota  planned  many  farewell  receptions  for  men 
about  to  leave  for  the  army  and  on  one  such  occasion  the  famous  Peter 
Billhorn,  singing  evangelist  of  Chicago,  came  to  Mendota  to  sing  for 
the  boys  and  citizens  of  Mendota. 

On  May  31,  1917,  the  first  two  boys  from  Mendota  enlisted  in 
the  army — Walter  Beitsch  and  Ed  March.  They  were  sent  to  Jefferson 
barracks  and  many  of  their  friends  were  at  the  depot  to  bid  them 
goodbye  and  wish  them  luck  and  courage  wherever  duty  called  them. 

The  selective  service  bill  became  effective  and  required  that  all 
men  and  boys  between  the  ages  of  21  and  30  register.  June  5,  1917, 
was  the  date  set  for  Mendota's  registration  and  much  patriotism  was 
displayed.  Four  hundred  and  fourteen  men  registered  in  Mendota 
township. 

By  late  June  draft  boards  were  named  and  September  13,  1917, 
the  first  three  men  drafted  from  Mendota  left  for  camp.  They  were 
Otto  Krenz,  Frank  Barrett  and  Carl  Spenader. 

The  folks  at  home  were  anxious  to  do  their  bit  and  raised  $565 
for  Y.M.C.A.  work  among  boys  who  would  be  called  to  the  front.  A 
Red  Cross  society  was  organized  and  many  Mendota  women  well  re- 
member knitting  socks,  mittens,  scarfs  and  other  clothes  for  the  soldiers 
at  the  front. 

By  June  21,  1917,  $78,500  in  Liberty  Bonds  were  sold  in  Men- 
dota and  almost  every  child  was  buying  thrift  stamps  to  help  our 
government  conduct  the  war.  This  spontaneous  response  showed  the 
patriotic  spirit  of  the  people. 

About  300  men  from  Mendota  served  their  country  in  World  War 
I.  It  is  said  that  despite  the  fact  that  Mendota  had  a  heavy  population 
of  German  descent,  the  city  had  the  largest  percentage  of  volunteer 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         339 


enlistees  of  any  community  in  the  county.  We  also  had  several  women 
who  joined  the  Red  Cross  and  served  as  nurses  or  otherwise  in  France, 
including  Gertrude  Fluehr  and  Faith  Denison. 

With  so  many  of  our  boys  overseas  it  was  not  uncommon  to  hear 
people  on  the  street  asking  each  other,  "Have  you  heard  from  Bill  or 
John  'over  there',  meaning  somewhere  in  Europe.  Songs  such  as  "Over 
There",  "Smiles",  "Till  We  Meet  Again",  and  "Keep  the  Home  Fires 
Burning"  were  heard  wherever  folks  gathered. 


BENEFIT  FAIR  IS  STAGED 

We  cannot  forget  the  big  fair  staged  by  the  Mendota  Red  Cross 
society  in  May  of  1918.  The  net  receipts  of  this  project  were  around 
$6,000  and  was  typical  of  Mendota  citizens  putting  their  shoulders  to 
the  wheel  when  a  job  had  to  be  done. 

Mendota  was  highly  honored  at  this  fair  when  the  wife  of  Presi- 
dent Woodrow  Wilson  sent  a  beautiful  handkerchief  from  the  execu- 
tive mansion  with  her  card  accompanying  the  gift  and  a  nice  letter 
for  the  success  of  the  fair.  Mrs.  Frank  Lowden,  wife  of  the  governor, 
donated  a  beautiful  knitting  bag  and  a  set  of  ivory  tipped  knitting 
needles.  Mr.  McColl,  auctioneer,  had  the  Democrats  bid  on  the  hand- 
kerchief which  brought  $83.  Not  to  be  outdone  the  Republicans  bid 
on  the  knitting  bag  and  needles  and  the  sum  of  $200  was  realized  from 
these  articles. 

A  leather  glove  case  was  donated  by  Carrie  Jacobs  Bond  and  sold 
for  $50. 

After  the  long,  weary  18  months  of  warfare,  came  that  eventful 
Armistice  day,  November  11,  1918.  At  an  early  hour  on  that  Monday 
morning  it  was  learned  that  Germany  signed  an  armistice  and  the  ter- 
rible war  was  over.  At  4  a.  m.  the  people  of  Mendota  were  awakened 
when  the  whistles  broke  loose  and  everyone  heard  the  good  news. 
People  hurriedly  dressed  and  came  down  town  where  the  girls'  drum 
corps  had  already  assembled  and,  under  the  leadership  of  Alderman 
Knauer,  a  parade  was  formed  which  was  over  several  blocks  in  length 
and  residence  and  business  streets  were  paraded.  There  were  all  sorts 
of  noise  making  instruments  in  the  procession  and  great  joy  was  shown 
along  the  line  of  march.  It  was  about  7  o'clock  when  the  happy  band 
dispersed. 

The  fire  whistles  and  locomotive  engines  coming  through  town 
kept  up  a  continual  din.    The  whistle  at  the  waterworks  was  worn  out 


340 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


that  day  and  the  old  whistle  had  to  be  attached  to  an  air  compressor 
to  finish  out  the  celebration. 

The  schools  were  to  open,  but  after  the  children  gathered  and  a 
patriotic  program  had  been  carried  out  the  pupils  were  dismissed  and 
paraded  the  streets.  There  were  continual  parades  and  the  band  was 
out  all  day  playing  patriotic  music.  The  drum  corps  also  did  a  good 
day's  work. 


A  mammoth  crowd  came  to  town  that  evening.  A  big  parade 
was  staged  with  the  fire  department  in  the  lead,  followed  by  hose 
wagon  and  hook  and  ladder.  Next  came  the  band,  members  of  G.A.R., 
drum  corps,  followed  by  a  number  of  soldiers  who  were  in  the  city 
at  that  time,  members  of  lodges  and  citizens.  The  Kaiser  and  Crown 
Prince  were  fittingly  made  up  in  dummies,  carried  in  coffins  by  pall- 
bearers who  did  not  seem  to  wear  a  very  sad  expression  on  their  faces. 
The  Kaiser  found  his  last  resting  place  in  a  huge  bonfire  on  south  Main 
street. 


SEVEN  GAVE  THEIR  LIVES 

Seven  men  from  Mendota  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  in  World 
War  I,  namely 

George  Brown 
Earl  Cummings 
William  Frey 
Earl  Garard 

John  Madden 

Edward  E.  March 
Harry  Weigand 

We  can  never  forget  these  heroes  of  World  War  I.  To  commemo- 
rate their  sacrifice  a  memorial  was  placed  in  the  Mendota  city  park 
by  the  Mendota  Post  No.  540  American  Legion,  in  1921.  It  is  a  foun- 
tain monument  with  a  plate  bearing  the  names  of  the  seven  men 
who  lost  their  lives  in  World  War  I.  A  tree  was  also  planted  in  the 
city  park  for  each  of  these  men  with  a  marker  and  small  flag  com- 
memorating the  lives  of  the  Mendota  Gold  Stars  in  World  War  I. 

Mendota  has  had  a  large  active  American  Legion  post  and  aux- 
iliary during  the  many  years  since  World  War  I.  It  is  said  the  Post 
was  the  biggest  in  the  county  relative  to  population. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


341 


WORLD  WAR  H 

memories  of  world  war  II  are  very  vivid  in  the  minds  of  most 
of  the  citizens  of  Mendota  today.  Sunday,  December  7,  1941,  the 
zero  hour,  the  day  the  Japanese  made  a  sneak  attack  on  Pearl  Harbor, 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  Everyone  stayed  close  to  their  radios  on 
that  eventful  Sunday  afternoon  and  evening  to  hear  the  latest  news 
on  the  Pearl  Harbor  attack. 

Several  Mendota  servicemen  were  members  of  the  U.S.  fleet  and 
aviation  groups  stationed  at  Hawaii.  Ensign  John  J.  Westerman  Jr. 
was  a  member  of  the  crew  on  the  battleship  Maryland  which  was  sta- 
tioned in  Pearl  Harbor  at  the  time  of  the  attack. 

More  than  100  young  men  from  Mendota  and  vicinity  were  al- 
ready members  of  the  U.S.  fighting  forces. 

Real  patriotism  caused  many  of  the  young  men  of  Mendota  to 
sign  up  immediately  at  the  Mendota  post  office  where  a  recruiting 
officer  from  Aurora  was  meeting  those  who  desired  to  join  the  army 
or  navy.  There  was  no  time  for  farewell  parades  and  receptions  as 
the  boys  were  hurriedly  accepted  and  sent  to  camps  to  start  training. 

The  civilian  defense  committee  which  had  been  organized  in  Men- 
dota was  ready  to  aid  the  police,  fire  department  and  local  medical 
organizations  in  case  of  disaster. 

The  defense  program  called  for  everyone  to  register.  December 
18,  1941,  around  1,000  men,  women  and  high  school  pupils  volun- 
tarily registered  for  defense  work  with  the  Civilian  Defense  council, 
which  signified  willingness  of  Mendota  people  to  serve  wherever  and 
whenever  their  training  and  ability  was  needed   in  the  community. 

An  auxiliary  police  corps  was  organized  to  cope  with  emergencies 
as  well  as  to  guard  highways,  bridges  and  viaducts  during  troop  move- 
ments or  convoys  of  army  supplies  over  local  highways. 

An  auxiliary  Fire  Department  was  formed  and  trained  to  handle 
chemical,  fires  or  explosions,  and  to  guard  against  fire  hazards.  A 
medical  and  nurse  corps  was  organized  and  training  in  First  Aid  and 
prevention  of  disease  was  carried  on. 

There  was  a  big  demand  for  sugar  and  flour  everywhere  after 
the  Pearl  Harbor  attack.  People  bought  big  orders  of  groceries  and 
many  apparently  laid  in  a  supply  of  foodstuffs.  All  this  finally  led  to 
the  rationing  of  many  items  and  most  of  us  remember  coping  with 
rationing  stamps  for  food,  gasoline,  etc. 

A  Red  Cross  society  was  quickly  organized  in  Mendota  and  the 
work  carried  on  at  Red  Cross  centers  where  bandages  were  rolled, 
sewing  was  done  and  various  kinds  of  jobs  completed.    When  Presi- 


342 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


dent  Roosevelt  asked  the  Red  Cross  to  raise  $50,000,000,  Mendota's 
quota  of  $2,200  was  quickly  raised. 


FACTORIES  AID  WAR  PRODUCTION 

Local  factories  greatly  aided  war  production  as  follows: 

H.  D.  Conkey  &  Company  made  a  reel  for  the  signal  corps.  Men 
carried  this  reel  to  lay  communication  wire  along  front  line  areas.  H. 
D.  Conkey  &  Co.  outfitted  100  trucks  with  hoisting  mechanism  for  the 
Marine  corps.  These  trucks  were  used  for  pulling  in  damaged  tanks 
and  landing  barges  on  beaches.  They  made  five  different  styles  of 
cans  for  Marine  corps,  Engineer  corps  and  Quartermaster  corps.  These 
were  used  for  carrying  gasoline,  oil  and  water.  Conkey's  were  one  of 
the  major  producers  of  these  cans  and  production  reached  around  six 
million  cans.  They  made  a  cartridge  storage  case  for  155  mm  howit- 
zers, in  contract  with  the  Chicago  Ordnance  district.  They  were  the 
first  ones  to  make  this  particular  container  and  approximately  two 
million  were  made.  The  regular  line  of  Conco  cranes,  trolleys  and 
hoists  were  very  much  in  demand  from  standpoint  of  outfitting  war 
production  plants.  The  army  and  navy  also  used  many  of  them  in 
docks  and  army  camps. 

During  World  War  II,  H.  D.  Conkey  &  Company  employed  three 
shifts — up  to  800  men  and  women.  They  also  did  considerable  amount 
of  development  work  on  cans  and  R.  W.  Conkey  served  on  an  industry 
committee  acting  in  advisory  capacity  to  the  armed  services  and  he 
continues  to  serve  at  the  present  time. 

The  Conco  organization  was  honored  with  an  "E"  award  in  an 
impressive  ceremony. 


Considerable  equipment  for  use  in  the  manufacture  of  wartime 
and  defense  items  was  made  in  the  plant  of  Black  Brothers  company 
for  the  woodworking  industry.  This  company  designed  and  manu- 
factured the  machines  that  prepare  and  blend  the  various  glues  and 
resins  used  in  wood  laminations,  as  well  as  clamps,  presses,  and  other 
equipment  needed  to  complete  these  parts. 

Plywood  and  veneer  laminations  were  used  in  many  fields,  and 
included  timbers  used  for  structural  purposes  as  well  as  in  shipbuilding 
and  bridgebuilding.  World-wide  acceptance  was  given  their  equip- 
ment.   The  quality  and  accuracy  of  the  products  gave  them  capacity 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


343 


to  perform  without  break-downs  month  after  month  under  the  most 
severe  production  programs. 

There  were  many  important  users  in  the  aircraft  field,  including 
such  names  as  General  Motors,  Hughes  Aircraft,  Boeing  Airplane 
company,  Higgins  Aircraft,  Goodyear,  Curtis- Wright,  and  others. 
Black's  machines  were  used  in  the  manufacture  of  fuselages,  propellers, 
wings,  and  many  other  plane  parts. 

Black's  equipment  in  World  War  II  as  well  as  in  the  current 
defense  program,  has  been  high  on  the  list  of  essential  equipment  for 
producing  the  fighting  material  for  army,  navy,  and  air  force.  Rigid 
government  specifications  call  for  plywood  ship  keels,  minesweepers 
constructed  entirely  of  wood,  mess  tables,  helicopters  and  other  items 
laminated  out  of  wood  stock  bound  together  with  waterproof  adhe- 
sives. 

The  following  is  quoted  from  an  article  by  one  of  Black  Brothers' 
executives:  "However,  we  are  hoping  that  our  machines  will  be  used 
more  for  creative  rather  than  destructive  manufacturing  processes  in 
the  near  future.  The  outlook  is  encouraging  as  laminating  has  been 
found  to  be  one  of  the  best  methods  of  giving  the  public  what  it  wants." 

♦         *         * 

The  J.  D.  Tower  Company  made  several  items  for  wartime  use, 
the  principal  one  being  a  specially  designed  hemp  harvesting  machine. 
There  were  several  hemp  mills  in  this  area,  and  many  acres  were 
devoted  to  the  raising  of  hemp  in  order  to  achieve  a  national  source 
of  the  materials  for  rope  without  depending  on  foreign  manufacture. 

615  SERVED  THEIR  COUNTRY 

There  were  around  600  men  and  15  women  from  Mendota  and 
vicinity  who  served  their  country  well  in  World  War  II.  The  "Com- 
munity Service  Honor  Roll"  which  was  placed  at  the  north  end  of  our 
city  park  during  the  war  was  a  constant  reminder  to  all  of  us  what 
they  were  doing  for  their  country. 

Twenty-one  of  our  boys  made  the  supreme  sacrifice.    They  are: 
Arthur  L.  Brown  Emery  R.  Hill 

Frank  Leslie  Canavit  Warren  Lee  Krause 

Howard  Cromwell  Eugene  D.  Kuhre 

Bernard  R.  Coss  Richard  Delmar  Lathrop 

Irwin  W.  Dial  Delbert  W.  Marcum 

Richard  Lyle  Durham  Robert  Mc  Cullough 

Dennis  A.  Edwards  Wilbur  Meisel 

Clarence  C.  Fitzgerald  Joseph  Wm.  Schmidt 

Glenn  Flanagan  Dixon  Frederick  Steele 

Paul  R.  Heffner  William  Yard 

William  T.  Herbert 


344 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


The  end  of  World  War  II  was  not  celebrated  with  as  much  hilar- 
ity in  Mendota  as  the  end  of  previous  wars.  D-day  and  V-day  were 
solemn  days.  Services  were  held  in  the  city  park  during  the  morning 
hours  and  church  services  were  held  in  the  evening. 

The  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars  and  Navy  Mothers  are  two  organi- 
zations that  grew  out  of  World  War  II  and  both  groups  are  strongly 
organized  in  Mendota. 


We  cannot  bring  this  chapter  to  a  close  without  mentioning  the 
present  Korean  struggle  where  scores  of  our  Mendota  boys  are  serving 
their  country  in  Korea  and  elsewhere.  One  of  them,  Jack  Shanyfelt, 
has  made  the  supreme  sacrifice. 

Hundreds  have  enlisted  in  the  various  branches  of  the  armed  forces 
and  countless  others  from  age  20  and  up  are  drawn  into  military  duty 
through  Selective  Service.  Some  with  reserve  status,  including  women, 
were  sent  back  into  duty. 

In  reading  the  war  history  of  Mendota  during  the  past  100  years 
we  are  reminded  that  "eternal  vigilance  is  the  price  of  liberty",  and 
so  the  "American  Dream"  is  kept  alive  and  we  are  privileged  to  live 
in  the  "World's  Greatest  Little  City". 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


345 


F 


IRE  AND  FALL  BACK: 
THE  SECOND  50  YEARS 


T 


he  next  50  years  were  to  be  years  of  transition.  Physical 
changes,  yes,  but,  more  important,  a  change  in  temperament.  The 
original  Mendota  was  dying  —  behind  now  was  much  of  the  bold  and 
bawdy;  ahead  lay  the  task  of  reaping  the  harvest,  of  replanting  the  old 
seed  with  sturdy,  lasting  stock. 

Even  in  1900  the  change  was  becoming  apparent.  Stores  now 
closed  at  6  p.m.;  no  more  after-supper  work  hours  except  on  the  farms 
and  in  specialized  businesses.  Electric  lights  were  replacing  the  gas 
jets  and  oil  lamps. 

The  owners  of  high  old  walnut  beds  were  eyeing  the  shiny  new 
brass  models;  the  old  rosewood  square  piano  gave  way  to  a  fine  up- 
right model. 

Grandmother's  old  hair  cloth  sofa  went  to  the  attic;  in  its  place 
came  the  golden  oak  settee,  with  matching  rocking  chair.  A  library 
table  became  a  "must",  if  for  no  other  reason  than  to  support  an  art 
glass  electric  lamp.  Rooms  were  separated  by  portiers,  wall  paper 
shaped  into  long  beads,  then  painted  with  shellac  to  prevent  tearing. 
"Mission"  style  furnishings  were  here  to  stay.  .  .for  a  while,  that  is. 

The  woman  of  fashion  (and  what  woman  was  not?)  made  and 
wore  rose  beads.  Rose  petals  were  collected,  mixed,  shaped  into  little 
round  balls  and  strung  on  hatpins  until  dry  and  ready  for  stringing 
on  thread. 

A  curfew  law   was  passed,   forbidding  children   the   use   of  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


347 


streets  after  8  p.m.  in  winter  and  9  p.m.  in  summer.  A  whistle 
announced  the  zero  hour. 

Interest  in  the  new  horseless  carriage,  at  first  merely  passing, 
generated  into  a  desire  to  possess,  and  by  1907  the  first  streets  were 
being  paved. 

And,  as  the  decade  rolled  on,  the  wooden  sidewalks  were  gradually 
removed  from  the  business  district  and  replaced  with  cement.  This 
came  as  a  blow  to  the  children  who  had  formerly  crawled  under  the 
boardwalks  to  retrieve  nickels  and  dimes  which  had  rolled  through 
the  cracks. 

In  1910,  the  population  was  3,806;  the  days  of  rapid  growth 
were  gone. 

A  new  subdivision  was  added  to  the  city  in  1913.  Lots  on  the 
west  side  of  13th  Avenue  north  of  Washington  Street  were  placed  on 
sale.  The  bungalow  was  in  high  favor,  and  all  the  fine  houses  being 
erected  in  "New  Addition"  were  of  this  style  architecture. 


"DO  WHAT  YOU  DO" 

Thirty-two  students  were  graduated  from  Mendota  High  School 
in  1914,  exercises  being  held  at  the  Princess  Theater.  The  stage  was 
effectively  decorated  with  ferns  and  a  large  rubber  plant;  at  the  back 
of  the  stage  was  a  large  pennant  carrying  the  class  motto:  "Do  what 
you  do."  Less-inspired  messages  were  imprinted  on  other  smaller 
pennants  about  the  stage. 

The  businessmen  sponsored  a  picnic  at  Glen  Park,  a  currently 
favored  spot  with  cottages  to  rent,  boating  on  the  river,  and  a  dance 
pavilion.  The  picnic  crowd  gathered  at  the  depot,  391  strong,  with 
the  Mendota  band  furnishing  farewell  music  as  the  train   departed. 

En  route  to  the  grounds,  the  train  stopped  in  Earlville  long  enough 
for  a  Mendota  parade,  led  by  Alderman  Rudolph  Witte,  to  disrupt  that 
community's  business  for  the  day. 

Some  traveled  to  the  gala  affair  by  automobile,  and  made  better 
time  than  the  train.  Approximately  250  were  conducted  in  this  fashion 
in  50  cars. 

Highlight  of  the  day  was  a  close  ballgame  between  the  merchants 
of  Illinois  avenue  and  Jefferson  street.  The  threat  of  a  thunderstorm 
broke  up  the  festivities  early,  but  all  were  home  before  the  rains  came. 

*        *        * 

The  Ladies  Musical  Band  was  organized  in  1916  and  trained  by  a 
conductor  imported  from  —  pardon  the  expression  —  Princeton. 


348 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


And  the  long-hoped  for  Mendota  Township  High  School  was  to 
be  a  reality.  The  first  step  was  the  selling  of  the  old  Advent  college 
building  for  $250.  This  was  a  small  price  even  in  those  days  but  the 
owners  had  little  choice.  The  second  high  bid  was  $50,  while  one 
bidder  had  the  audacity  to  offer  to  tear  it  down  and  remove  it  if  the 
owners  would  give  him  $400. 

And  the  livery  stables  were  going,  the  various  conveyances  selling 
for  rock-bottom  prices.  A  vehicle  which  had  carried  ministers  to 
funerals,  originally  bought  for  $200,  was  sold  for  $19. 


OVER  THERE  AND  OVER  HERE 

And  it  was  war  time  again  for  the  nation.  The  theme:  "The  war 
to  end  all  wars."  The  Mendota  chapter  of  the  Red  Cross  was  organized 
in  June,  1917,  with  R.  N.  Crawford,  chairman;  George  D.  Tower,  vice 
chairman;   J.   R.  Woods,  treasurer,   and   Harriet  Mclntire,   secretary. 

Victory  gardens  sprouted  up  all  over  town;  a  large  community 
garden  occupied  the  lots  where  Widmer's  garage  now  stands. 

A  spectacular  three-day  bazaar  was  conducted  in  the  building 
now  housing  Brown's  Feed  Store,  with  the  prize  auction  pieces  being 
a  handkerchief  donated  by  Mrs.  Woodrow  Wilson,  wife  of  the  President, 
and  a  knitting  bag  given  by  Mrs.  Frank  0.  Lowden,  wife  of  the 
Republican  Governor  of  Illinois. 

Liberty  bonds  were  placed  on  sale.  Just  before  the  drive  ended, 
bells  were  rung  each  evening  at  9  p.m.,  Monday  through  Thursday. 
The  bells  were  to  be  tolled  four  times  on  Monday,  thrice  on  Tuesday, 
twice  on  Wednesday  and  once  on  Thursday,  reminding  the  citizenry 
of  the  number  of  days  remaining  in  the  bond  drive. 

People  were  asked  to  fill  Sammy  comfort  kits  to  be  sent  to  the 
boys  in  the  armed  forces.  Included  in  the  kits  were  khaki  cotton  thread, 
five  needles,  30  extra  buttons,  thimble,  shaving  mirror  and  a  pocket 
aluminum  drinking  cup. 

And  there  were  taxes  to  worry  about.  A  five  cent  war  tax  was 
placed  on  phone  calls  or  telegrams  costing  more  than  15  cents;  10  per 
cent  on  club  dues  exceeding  $12  per  year,  and  one  cent  on  each  20 
cent  express  charge. 

But  not  all  activity  was  centered  on  the  war:  there  was  a  bird 
club,  with  dues  of  50  cents  for  adults  and  15  cents  for  children.  The 
object?  "To  protect  birds  which  are  useful  and  destroy  the  sparrow 
which  drives  away  the  other  birds." 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


349 


November  11,  1918.  What  a  day  in  Mendota!  Schools  were 
dismissed  and  students  dispatched  to  the  business  district  where  they 
formed  a  huge  line  and  snake-danced  through  the  town  for  hours. 
The  day  was  climaxed  with  the  burning  of  the  Kaiser  in  effigy  at  a 
funeral  pyre  on  the  railroad  right-of-way  on  South  Main  across  from 
the  Feik  Coal  office. 


DECADENT  DECADE 

And  now  —  the  roaring  '20s.  Mendota  was  to  start  the  decade 
with  a  population  of  3,934  and  end  with  a  population  of  4,008. 

These  were  the  days  when  the  girls  wore  pleated  skirts  and 
middy  blouses  topped  by  three-cornered  ties,  of  black,  red,  or  blue. 
High  button  and  laced  shoes  were  out;  oxfords  and  woolen  hose  in. 

And  to  call  Madame's  hair  a  "rat's  nest"  was  a  compliment.  The 
most  fashionable  hairstyle  was  called  "cootie  garages",  made  by 
snarling  and  stuffing  the  hair  with  rats  and  combing  over  the  ears. 

Perhaps  because  this  became  a  little  uncomfortable  on  hot  summer 
days,  the  flapper  era  was  coming  in  fast,  and  the  girls  bobbed  their 
hair  severely.  They  wore  fancy  black  underwear  called  "teddies." 
Dresses  were  of  the  chemise  type  with  waists  dropping  to  the  hips  and 
skirts  raised  to  knee  level.  The  very  chic  wore  cloche  styled  hats 
and  carried  vanity  bags.  The  well-dressed  college  girl  joined  her 
brother  in  donning  raccoon  coats  and  four  buckles  galoshes,  the  latter 
worn  open  so  they  would  flap  and  the  buckles  would  jangle. 

This  was  the  decade  of  prohibition  and  speakeasies,  of  the  big 
fight  between  fundamentalism  and  modernism.  Washington  scandals, 
then  as  now,  formed  good  conversation  fodder.  And  the  proximity 
of  Chicago  and  its  hoodlum  empire  was  not  always  reassuring. 

All  Illinois  claimed  and  loved  Red  Grange,  the  Illini  gridiron  star, 
perhaps  the  first  football  hero  to  attain  such  dizzy  heights  of  adolation. 
Football  junkets  to  Champaign  were  not  uncommon. 

In  such  erotic  times,  perhaps  it  did  not  seem  at  all  strange  that  the 
next  national  hero  was  to  be  a  "birdman"  —  Charles  E.  Lindbergh. 
The  automobile  had  been  hard  to  take;  now  —  the  airplane?  Perhaps 
most  thought  it  a  fool's  invention,  but  how  they  loved  Lindbergh  and 
his  courageous  solo  flight. 

In  1929,  people  worried  over  high  prices  —  like  butter  at  40  cents 
a  pound,  eggs  at  30  cents  a  dozen,  hogs  at  8^  cent  per  pound.  It 
was  the  "silk  shirt  era";   a  dollar  bought  three  pounds  of  coffee,  a 


350         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


16  oz.  loaf  of  bread  cost  a  nickel,  and  15  pounds  of  potatoes  went  for 
27  cents.    The  Ford  coupe  was  priced  at  $550;  the  roadster  $290. 

An  advertisement  in  the  Reporter:  "Team  of  Bay  Geldings  10  and 
11  years  old  for  sale  or  will  trade  for  cows.'' 

And  the  movies  billed  Dolores  Costello  in  "Glorious  Betsy". 
Other  movie  favorites  were  Valentino,  Pickford,  Fairbanks  and  Francis 
X.  Bushman. 

There  were  still,  however,  remainders  of  the  past:  for  example, 
a  harness  shop  run  by  Fred  Reiter. 

*         *         * 

Fast  on  the  heels  of  the  "roaring  '20s"  came  the  "Threadbare  '30s" 
(which  expression  we  owe  to  Groucho  Marx,  a  still  popular  radio  and 
movie  comedian). 

Crime  was  still  running  rampant  through  the  country,  one  of  the 
most  popular  criminal  pasttimes  being  car  theft.  One  Monday  evening 
two  cars  were  stolen  from  the  streets  of  Mendota;  every  issue  of  the 
papers  told  of  new  car  thefts. 

Slot  machines  were  much  in  the  news;  the  mayor  and  aldermen 
campaigned  against  them;  occasionally  bandits  would  steal  the  one- 
armers  and  their  enclosed  treasures. 

Garden  lovers  made  a  yearly  spring  pilgrimage  to  Katzwinkel's 
green  house  to  see  the  daffodils  in  bloom.  He  had  received  and 
planted  two  carloads  of  bulbs;  his  greenhouse  was  a  place  of  beauty. 


CAME  THE  CRASH 

Early  in  1932  the  crash  came.  The  directors  of  the  Farmers  and 
Merchants  State  Bank  closed  its  doors  for  the  protection  of  depositors; 
the  mayor  declared  a  six  day  moratorium  with  all  banks  and  stores 
to  remain  closed,  but  heavy  withdrawals  forced  a  decision  to  perma- 
nently close  the  Mendota  National  and  First  National  Banks. 

On  the  24th  day  of  May,  1932,  Miss  Ellen  Meisenbach,  the  first 
white  child  born  in  Mendota,  died.  In  a  few  more  years  all  those 
connected  with  the  first  years  would  be  gone. 

The  Fourth  of  July  celebration  was  held  at  Kakusha  Park; 
Mendota  and  Scarboro,  tense  rivals,  engaged  in  a  baseball  contest. 
There  were  amateur  vaudeville  acts,  with  $30  in  prizes  awarded  to  the 
best.  The  Golden  Ramblers  provided  music  for  dancing.  Mendotans 
brought  their  lunches  and  stayed  all  day. 

The  Elks  Auditorium  featured  movies.  Among  the  "hits"  of  the 
year  was  "The  Rich  are  Always  with  Us",  starring  Ruth  Chatterton, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


351 


which  was  accompanied  by  a  two-reel  musical  revue,  "A  Subway 
Symphony."  Admission  was  10  and  25  cents.  Tuesdays  and  Wednes- 
days were  family  nights  with  all  seats  going  for  10  cents. 

Double-dip  ice  cream  cones  sold  for  a  nickel.  A  fireman's 
tournament  at  Puritan  Park  was  attended  by  5,000,  more  than  the 
population  of  the  city. 

In  September  the  Mendota  Red  Cross  received  a  carload  of  flour 
to  be  distributed  to  the  needy  in  Mendota,  Troy  Grove,  Triumph  and 
Earlville.  The  Needlework  Guild,  an  organization  of  women  who  had 
earned  praise  during  the  war  years  sewing,  knitting,  making  surgical 
dressings  and  caring  for  the  poor,  also  helped  during  depression  years, 
collecting    1,140   articles   of   clothing   for   distribution   to    the   needy. 

The  Red  Cross  imported  more  flour  early  the  next  year;  the 
winter  was  bitterly  cold,  and  202  families  were  on  relief.  In  February, 
the  thermometer  registered  31  degrees  below  zero. 

The  city  decided  upon  a  license  fee  of  $100  a  year  for  beer 
vending. 


The  first  La  Salle  County  flower  show,  sponsored  by  the  Mendota 
Women's  Club,  was  held  in  the  Lincoln  school  auditorium. 

On  the  Fourth  of  July  the  Mendota  Elks  and  the  Mendota  Post  of 
the  American  Legion  honored  John  Bellinghausen,  the  only  surviving 
Civil  War  veteran  in  the  city. 

The  Cavell  Brothers  meat  market,  in  business  since  1878,  ceased 
business  a  few  weeks  later. 

Kittenball  games  were  the  feature  attraction  three  or  four  evenings 
during  each  summer  week. 

The  grub  worms  heavily  damaged  the  corn  crop;  the  Fair  Asso- 
ciation announced  that  there  would  be  no  fair  for  Mendota  in  '33. 
But  one  of  Mendota's  progressive  farmers  had  a  Poland  China  gilt 
chosen  to  be  shipped  to  an  agricultural  experimental  station  in  Japan. 

Troy  Grove  celebrated  its  Centennial,  with  7,500  attending  the 
pageant. 


CENTURY  OF  PROGRESS 

The  Century  of  Progress  continued  in  Chicago,  with  the  Burlington 
offering  special  round-trip  rates  of  Si. 70  from  Mendota  to  the  city. 
Mendota's  Gladys  Lamberton  played  in  the  Marimba  band  at  the  fair. 
The  Royal  Scot  passenger  train,  one  of  the  Fair's  exhibits,  passed 
through  the  city,  and  a  large  crowd  surrounded  the  depot  during  its 


352         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


stay.  The  beautiful  Chicago  spectacle  was  a  welcome  diversion  and 
conversation  topic  in  these  grim  days. 

In  June,  the  Burlington  Railroad  began  exhibiting  its  new  and 
different  train  —  "The  Zephyr."  It  was  brought  to  Mendota  and 
inspected  by  2,793  persons.  Mendota  businessmen  were  carried  on  a 
trial  run  to  Earlville. 

The  automobile  and  truck  had  come  to  stay.  In  a  period  of  five 
days,  24,312  vehicles  passed  the  intersection  of  13th  and  Washington. 
The  city  sold  1,000  wheel  tax  stickers  to  car  owners. 


DEPRESSION  DIVERSIONS 

The  first  social  event  of  1934  was  the  President's  Ball,  with  250 
citizens  turning  out.  Soon  afterward,  a  community  supper  was  held 
to  raise  funds  for  the  Fair  Association.  The  supper  was  accompanied 
by  a  vaudeville  show  and  a  dance,  with  SI 35  realized  and  turned  over 
to  the  association. 

The  Red  Cross  continued  to  send  in  supplies  for  the  needy;  1,000 
pounds  of  pork  and  3,000  pounds  of  flour  were  imported  early  in  the 
year. 

A  Rifle  and  Pistol  club  was  organized,  utilizing  a  50-foot  range 
in  the  basement  of  Chamberlin's  (now  Yohn's)  Dry  Goods  store.  The 
Mendota  club  maintained  a  hot  rivalry  with  the  LaMoille  Rifle  club. 

More  slot  machine  trouble  was  reported;  a  Mendota  alderman 
removed  all  slot  machines  from  local  business  houses. 

There  was  talk  of  putting  in  a  subway  under  the  "Q"  tracks  on 
13th;  as  usual,  a  great  deal  of  talk  was  to  precede  the  act. 

The  most  popular  movie  stars  of  the  day  were  Will  Rogers,  Marie 
Dressier,  Wallace  Beery,  and  Shirley  Temple,  the  latter  being  a  child 
star  who  was  the  envy  of  every  ambitious  mother. 

The  farmers  had  a  bad  season,  the  chinch  bug  destroying  the 
small  grain  crop  and  almost  the  entire  corn  crop.  Pastures  were  so 
short  that  cattle  were  pastured  along  the  highway.  The  drought  was 
serious,  perhaps  the  worst  in  the  city's  history. 

1935,  and  more  slot  machines;  this  time  the  city  council  ordered 
the  removal.     The  subway  was  still  being  discussed  by  engineers. 

On  Tuesday,  January  21,  John  Bellinghausen,  Mendota's  last  Civil 
War  veteran,  died  at  the  age  of  88. 

Peru  celebrated  her  Centennial,  and  Mendota  selected  a  Queen  to 
represent  her  in  the  Centennial  parade. 

The  W.P.A.    (one   of  the   first  of  many   government   "alphabet" 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         353 


agencies)  allocated  $45,036  to  construct  a  park  and  make  a  lake  fit 
for  swimming  out  of  the  Railroad  Pond  property.  The  lake  held 
17,000,000  gallons  of  water,  and  was  referred  to  by  the  staunch  Re- 
publicans around  town  as  "Lake  Eleanor." 

Another  government  relief  agency  was  the  C.C.C.  (Civil  Construc- 
tion Corps)  which  announced  72  vacancies,  and  received  200  appli- 
cations. 


Times  continued  hard;  157  baskets  were  distributed  to  the  needy 
at  Christmas. 

The  Mendota  police  earned  $90  a  month;  the  chief  received  $100. 
Service  stations  engaged  in  a  gas  price  war,  lowest  price  being  Sy2 
cents  plus  4  cents  tax  per  gallon. 

The  government  built  galvanized  granaries  to  hold  the  corn  the 
farmers  sealed;  Mendota  had  12  such  granaries  holding  2,400  bushels 
of  sealed  corn.  Eighty  per  cent  of  the  farmers  in  this  area  sealed 
their  corn  in  1939. 

The  summer  of  1939  brought  the  city  a  beguiling  mystery.  A 
weird,  dancing  light  was  reported  in  the  fields  near  a  graveyard  west 
of  Sublette.  Just  before  dark,  families  would  load  up  their  cars  and 
drive  out  to  see  the  still  unexplained  phenomena.  Some  spoil  sports 
suggested  that  the  cause  of  the  elusive  light  was  swamp  gas;  the  super- 
stitious hoped  for  a  more  supernatural  explanation. 

Now  that  the  dreary  '30s  were  almost  over,  the  depression  was 
nearly  forgotten,  and  the  country  was  gearing  itself  for  a  new  global 
conflict.  Mendota  experienced  a  building  boom;  16  homes  were  under 
construction,  many  of  them  still  of  the  modified  bungalow  type. 

That  year  Mendota's  well-loved  first  grade  teacher,  Miss  Rose 
Weidner,  resigned  as  teacher  at  old  Blackstone  school  after  38  years 
of  starting  Mendota  children  through  school. 

1939  was  also  the  year  of  the  Mendota  Creek  flood. 

On  September  13,  the  big  floodlights  were  turned  on  the  Mendota 
Township  High  School's  Athletic  field,  with  1,800  people  attending  the 
ceremony  and  watching  Mendota's  Trojans  top  Depue  13-0,  an  auspi- 
cious under-the-lights  opener. 


MENDOTA  GETS  THE  BIRD 

The  1940  census  revealed  a  population  of  4,215  people.  The 
census  taker,  however,  neglected  to  count  a  startling  population  of 
crows,   blackbirds   and   starlings.     During   the  bird   season   the  west 


354 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


side  of  town  became  a  center  of  strange  sights  and  weird  noises  as 
the  citizens  tried  out  various  bird-removing  procedures. 

Women  would  clap  together  two  pieces  of  wood;  one  was  seen 
beating  on  an  old  preserving  kettle  with  a  heavy  trowel,  but  the  din 
seemed  to  annoy  the  neighbors  more  than  the  birds.  Guns  were  fired 
by  the  men;  trees  were  wired  with  blinking  lights. 

Live  owls  were  imported  from  the  country,  as  they  were  reported 
to  consider  blackbirds  a  delicacy.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  owls 
weren't  exactly  silent  themselves. 

A  subterfuge  was  found  in  two-faced  aluminum  owls  which  were 
set  in  trees  and  undoubtedly  managed  to  scare  a  goodly  number  of 
children  without  having  any  effect  on  the  birds. 

The  only  answer  to  the  bird  problem  was  to  cut  trees,  and  many, 
unfortunately,  did  have  to  be  destroyed. 

The  climax  came  one  late  summer  night  with  the  sudden  reverber- 
ation of  a  loud  explosion.  The  telephone  wires  hummed:  what  was  it? 
It  was  the  death  of  2,000  crows  roosting  in  the  evergreen  trees  north 
of  the  cemetery,  killed  by  bombs  set  off  by  the  state. 

*         *         * 

The  movie  of  the  year  was  made  from  the  book  of  the  last  five: 
"Gone  with  the  Wind",  with  Vivien  Leigh  as  Scarlett  O'Hara,  that  most 
desirable  of  Southern  belles,  and  Clark  Gable  as  Rhett  Butler,  the 
romantic  scoundrel  who  put  her  in  her  place.  Another  favorite,  es- 
pecially for  the  children,  was  Walt  Disney's  first  cartoon  feature, 
"Snow  White  and  the  Seven  Dwarfs." 

Two  favorite  sons  returned  home  for  speaking  engagements  in 
1941:  Fritz  Crisler,  guest  speaker  at  the  athletic  banquet,  and  Judge 
John  Gutknecht,  speaker  at  the  Alumni  banquet. 

REMEMBER  PEARL  HARBOR? 

And  then  December  7,  the  day  which  President  Franklin  Roose- 
velt said  would  "live  in  infamy."  The  world  was  at  war  again.  It 
was  not  completely  unexpected,  as  both  Asia  and  Europe  had  been 
engaged  in  conquest  and  battle,  and  the  United  States  had  already  begun 
selective  service. 

But,  now,  it  was  reality.  The  boys  were  off  to  camps  and  soon 
overseas.  First  aid  classes  were  conducted  by  the  Red  Cross;  all 
branches  of  the  Mendota  Chapter  of  the  Red  Cross  were  busy  daily. 
A  Civil  Defense  unit  was  organized  with  William  Ashley  as  chief  air 
raid  warden;  the  town  carried  out  successful  blackouts;  training  for 
the  day  when  it  might  happen  here. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         355 


The  city  was  left  with  only  three  practicing  physicians,  a  critical 
situation.  The  three  doctors  worked  night  and  day  to  care  for  the 
sick  in  the  area. 


Girls  affected  the  short  skirts,  sweater  styles,  and  long  hair-dos  of 
"Pin-Up"  movie  queens  Betty  Grable  and  Lana  Turner. 

The  top  movie  of  the  war  years  was  "Going  My  Way",  with  its 
emphasis  on  faith;  the  song  everyone  sang  was  Irving  Berlin's  "White 
Christmas".  The  top  entertainer  of  the  period  was  Bing  Crosby,  who 
was  associated  with  both. 

Before  price  ceilings  went  into  effect,  the  cost  of  haircuts  was 
raised  from  40  to  50  cents.  Reason:  So  many  young  men  were  being 
inducted  into  the  army  that  business  had  fallen  off,  and  the  raise  was 
necessary  to  offset  the  decrease  in  volume. 

Cars  were  rationed;  the  school  nurse  in  Mendota  was  the  first  to 
have  a  rationed  automobile. 

The  Reporter  carried  a  weekly  ration  calendar.  Typical  is  the 
following  for  the  week  starting  May  27,  1943 : 

Red  stamps  E  F  G  N  &  J  valid  this  week  for  meat, 

fats,   canned   fish   and  meat,   and   cheese. 

E  F  G  &  H  expire  this  weekend. 

May  30  last  day  for  coffee  coupon  23  in  No.  1  hook. 

May  31  last  day  for  sugar  coupon  12 

June  15  last  day  to  buy  shoes  with  coupon  17 

July  21  last  day  for  using  A  6  stamp  for  gasoline. 

And  housewives  would  stand  in  queues,  clutching  a  number, 
hoping  that  soap,  bananas,  cigarettes,  nylon  hose,  Jello,  or  other 
scarce  items  would  hold  out  until  their  numbers  were  called. 

Women  exchanged  recipes  for  cakes  made  of  packaged  puddings, 
in  an  effort  to  stretch  their  tiny  hoards  of  rationed  sugar. 

A  selfish  few  hoarded  scarcities,  but  soon  found  that  it  was  one 
way  to  become  a  social  outcast. 

The  production  corps  of  the  Mendota  Red  Cross  presented  an 
exhibit  at  the  Elks  explaining  its  expenditures.  The  tables  were  piled 
high  with  knitted  garments,  hospital  shirts,  pieced  lap  robes  for  wheel 
chair  patients,  surgical  dressings  and  many  other  articles. 

And  with  all  the  war  work  a  group  of  Mendotans  began  to  talk 
of  a  hospital  for  the  city.    A  fund  was  started. 

The  fifth  war  loan  bond  was  initiated  in  April,  1944.  That  year 
Mendota  had  a  community  canning  center;  they  read  in  the  Reporter 


356 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


the  letters  of  men  and  women  overseas,  of  casualties  and  men  missing 
in  action. 

A  short  war  had  been  predicted  at  the  beginning,  but  as  the  years 
rolled  on  it  seemed  it  would  never  end.  Perhaps  no  Christmas  ever 
seemed  so  empty  as  that  of  the  Battle  of  the  Bulge. 

But  now  strange  new  names  become  familiar  to  every  Mendotan  — 
names  like  Iwo  Jima,  Kwajalean,  the  Solomons,  names  which  spelled 
an  ever-approaching  victory.  Yes,  and  Anzio,  El  Alamain.  Then  the 
8th  of  May,  1945,  and  V.E.  Day.  Only  one  enemy  remained  to  be 
defeated,  and  that  defeat  now  appeared  certain.  But  Roosevelt,  our 
wartime  commander,  had  died  before  the  end  came. 


"V"  FOR  VICTORY 

Then  one  morning  a  new  geographic  location  occupied  the  head- 
lines of  every  newspaper,  and  men  and  women  alike  looked  heavenward 
in  awe.  Hiroshima:  a  trick  of  fate,  weather  conditions,  made  this 
devastated  city  the  signal  for  the  end  of  one  era  and  the  beginning 
of  a  new  one.  On  August  14,  shortly  after  the  dropping  of  the  second 
Atomic  Bomb,  the  war  ended.  That  evening  there  were  parades  again, 
in  and  out  of  town,  but  this  time  a  parade  of  cars  from  which  war- 
weary  people  tossed  serpentines  and  confetti. 

With  the  last  Sunday  in  September  came  the  end  of  "war  time", 
a  year-round  form  of  "Daylight  Saving  Time"  which  had  been  in 
effect  since  February  1942. 

Every  day  now  men  were  coming  home  and  the  town  experienced 
a  new  housing  shortage.  Large  homes  were  converted  into  apartments. 
Homes  put  up  for  sale  brought  high  prices.  A  seven  room  brick 
dwelling  built  during  the  bungalow  era  for  $7,000  brought  $15,000  at 
auction.  Even  the  third  floor  of  old  Blackstone  school,  unused  for 
years,  was  converted  into  an  apartment  for  one  of  the  instructors  who 
was  unable  to  find  accommodations  elsewhere. 

A  new  civic  organization,  the  Mendota  Homes  Corporation,  was 
formed,  erecting  a  group  of  10  homes  for  ex-G.I.s  to  buy. 

Mendota  now  referred  to  itself  as  the  "world's  greatest  little  city." 
But  the  world's  greatest  little  city  had  a  problem:  automobile  parking, 
a  headache  for  several  years. 

Mendota's  first  Annual  Sweet  Corn  Festival  was  held  in  1949,  a 
new  promotion  stunt.  A  queen  was  crowned,  there  was  a  parade  of 
sorts,  free  attractions,  and,  the  real  draw,  all  the  free  sweet  corn  the 
20,000  people  attending  could  eat. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         357 


The  lighting  problem  came  in  for  discussion;  new  street  lights 
were  needed  downtown.  $34,000  was  allocated  for  street  improvement. 
Some  of  the  old  narrow  streets  were  widened  and  resurfaced. 

The  city  took  on  a  more  cosmopolitan  air;  a  number  of  displaced 
persons  from  war-ravaged  Europe  were  brought  to  Mendota  under  the 
displaced  persons  plan,  and  soon  found  their  places  in  our  community 
life. 

The  water  problem  came  to  a  head  in  1949.  Water  came  out  of 
the  taps  rusty  and  muddy;  angry  citizens  turned  to  the  State  Depart- 
ment of  Health  for  help.  The  city  maintained  the  water  was  fit  for 
drinking  and  the  housewives  said  they  couldn't  do  a  decent  washing. 
The  state  reported  that  the  water  was  safe  for  drinking  but  suggested 
an  iron  removal  treatment. 

Now  the  century  was  half  gone  and  the  markers  at  the  city  limits 
read  5,129.  New  industry  had  shot  the  population  up  past  the  five 
thousand  mark. 

Meriden  Street,  closed  since  the  1945  flood,  was  reopened  to  traffic. 

The  gambling  situation  was  again  discussed  at  council  meetings. 

On  Easter  Sunday,  Mendota  was  struck  by  the  worst  sleet  storm 
in  its  history.  Streets  and  lawns  were  littered  with  debris,  fallen 
branches  and  limbs.  The  town  was  without  telephone  and  electric 
service  for  several  days.  The  wires  were  no  sooner  repaired  than  a 
severe  rain  and  electrical  storm  hit  the  town,  and  all  the  work  had  to 
be  redone. 

The  city  adopted  Daylight  Saving  time. 


BLACKSTONE  OPEN  HOUSE 

June  18  was  open  house  at  Old  Blackstone  school,  whose  days 
now  were  numbered.  Old  friends  greeted  here,  realizing  that  progress 
demanded  replacement  of  the  school  with  a  modern  structure  but 
regretting  that  the  old  red  tower  would  soon  be  crumbled  to  the  ground. 

The  Wixom  Country  school  was  moved  to  a  permanent  location  at 
the  fairgrounds  so  it  could  be  preserved  for  posterity.  The  Country 
school  house  was  rapidly  becoming  a  thing  of  the  past  as  school  buses 
carried  children  from  rural  areas  into  one  of  the  town  schools. 
Carpenters  built  on  the  old  Wixom  school  a  small  bell  tower  and  in 
this  tower  the  bell  from  Blackstone  tower  was  installed. 

358         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Everyone  talked  of  flying  saucers;  the  newspapers  were  filled  with 
accounts  of  people  who  thought  they  had  seen  them.  So  the  Mendota 
merchants  had  a  flying  saucer  sale  day;  3,000  paper  plates  were 
dropped  over  the  town  and  country  side  from  airplanes  in  this  unique 
promotion  stunt. 


THE  WAR  NO  ONE  WANTED 

A  Sunday  morning  in  June  brought  shocking  news:  war  in 
Korea.    Apparently  we  had  fought  two  "wars  to  end  all  wars"  in  vain. 

Mobilization  began  again  for  what  was  to  be  one  of  the  most 
discouraging  wars  of  our  country's  history.  Some  attempt  was  made 
to  dignify  the  drastic  happenings  in  Korea  by  referring  to  it  as  a 
"police  action";  to  the  troops,  so  short  a  time  home  from  the  last 
war,  there  could  be  no  such  neat  distinction. 

Mendota  was  to  have  new  street  lights,  and  a  contract  was  awarded. 

Early  in  1951  a  petition  for  a  local  option  liquor  vote  was  filed  for 
the  township  election  in  April.  The  Township  elected  to  stay  "wet" 
by  a  big  majority. 

The  local  telegraph  company  reported  a  rush  of  telegrams  being 
sent  out  from  here  after  the  report  of  General  Douglas  MacArthur's 
removal  from  his  far  eastern  command  by  President  Truman. 

The  city  council  experienced  stormy  sessions  over  a  new  proposed 
sub-division.  After  much  argument,  particularly  in  regard  to  the  old 
sewage  system,  Rolling  Green,  west  of  14th  avenue  was  annexed,  and 
soon  afterward  Gallagher's  or  Mendota  Lake  subdivision  was  added  on. 

In  1951,  Mendota  learned  what  a  long  strike  was  like.  The  C.I.O. 
called  a  strike  against  the  Conco  plant  which  extended  five  long  weeks. 

The  Red  Cross  bloodmobile  visited  Mendota  frequently  and 
successfully. 

The  Christmas  season  brought  a  home  decoration  contest  which 
proved  highly  successful. 

December  of  1951  and  early  winter  of  1952  brought  severe  snow 
storms,  disrupting  both  transportation  and  communication.  Twenty 
inches  fell  in  a  few  days  before  Christmas  and  then  drifted. 

In  1952,  Mendota  established  its  first  one-way  street,  Illinois 
Avenue  from  Washington  to  Jefferson,  a  stretch  of  one  block,  and  the 
subject  of  many  jokes.  But  this,  accompanied  by  wider  streets  and  the 
installation  of  parking  meters,  helped  offset  the  parking  problem. 

Movie  of  the  year  was  Cecil  B.  DeMille's  "The  Greatest  Show  on 
Earth",  circus  epic  which  played  to  capacity  crowds  an  unprecedented 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         359 


five  days  at  the  local  theater.  Strictly  unglamorous  Marjorie  Main  and 
Percy  Kilbride  (Ma  and  Pa  Kettle),  reminiscent  of  Beery  and  Dressier, 
were  far  and  away  Mendota's  favorite  movie  stars. 

The  100th  anniversary  of  the  St.  Paul's  church  on  the  old  Chicago 
road  was  observed  Sunday,  August  17.  LaSalle,  Utica,  and  Rockford 
also  observed  Centennials. 


THE  ELEPHANT  TAKES  OVER 

And  this  was  election  year,  the  year  that  was  to  see  the  Democratic 
party  out  of  power  in  Washington  for  the  first  time  since  1932.  Just 
as  the  depression  had  served  as  fodder  to  bring  the  Democrats  into 
power  20  years  earlier,  now  corruption  served  as  fodder  to  throw  them 
out. 

The  Republican  cause  was  enhanced  by  the  selection  of  General 
D wight  D.  Eisenhower  as  its  presidential  candidate,  his  personal 
popularity  helping  to  pull  his  party  to  victory.  Eisenhower  spoke 
early  in  his  campaign  at  Ottawa  and  many  Mendotans  made  the  trip 
to  hear  him  speak.  Our  Mayor  Glenn  Momeny,  chairman  of  the 
LaSalle  County  G.O.P.  Central  committee,  introduced  the  general. 

Mendota  went  to  the  polls  90  percent  strong  in  November,  the 
sixth  precinct  topping  all  others  with  97.4  percent  voting. 

And  now,  with  the  furore  over  the  election  a  thing  of  the  past,  all 
eyes  were  turned  toward  Mendota's  big  birthday  party,  the  Centennial. 

And  so  ends  100  years.     Magnificent  Whistle  Stop,  What  Now? 


360 


MAGNIFICENT  WHISTLE   STOP 


OCAL  BOY  MAKES  GOOD 


I  ypWN  through  the  years  many  young  men  and  women  went 
out  from  Mendota  to  mold  careers  for  themselves  in  other  places. 
Some  of  these  were  born  and  reared  in  Mendota.  Others  lived  here 
in  their  youth.  Hundreds  have  made  good  and  are  solid  successes; 
they  have  attained  prominence  in  the  professions,  in  business,  and  in 
trade. 

Some  of  them  have  become  nationally-known  names.  By  appearing 
in  the  public  prints  they  have  attained  a  sort  of  an  ethereal  prominence 
that  provides  material  for  interesting  sketches.  These  stories  come 
from  all  parts  of  the  nation  —  from  country  lanes,  from  side  streets 
and  the  main  city  streets. 

This  chapter  relates  at  least  a  few  of  these  success  stories. 


"WILD  BILL"  HICKOK 

where  is  the  boy  who  has  not  thrilled  to  the  exploits  of  "Wild 
Bill"  Hickok  at  Saturday  movie  matinees,  or,  emulating  his  hero,  shot 
it  out  with  outlaws  in  a  running  gun  battle  through  the  neighbor's 
prize  tomato  patch? 

How  many  of  the  fabulous  Hickok  yarns  are  actually  true  is 
anyone's  guess.     This  much  is  known,  however:     James  "Wild  Bill" 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


361 


Hickok,  was  born  at  Troy  Grove  and  spent  his  boyhood  in  the  Mendota 
area. 

His  father,  William  Alonzo  Hickok,  was  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry 
and  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1801.  In  1827  he  married  Polly  Butler 
of  his  native  county;  ten  years  later  they  moved  to  Troy  Grove  where 
he  opened  the  first  general  store.  He  also  spent  several  years  as  a 
farmer.  James  had  a  fine  example  in  his  father  who  was  a  well 
educated  man  and  a  deacon  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 

James  was  one  of  six  children,  four  boys  and  two  girls;  a  seventh 
child  died  in  infancy. 


In  his  childhood  he  had  firearms  in  his  possession  and  became  the 
owner  of  a  first  class  rifle  before  his  father's  death,  which  occurred 
when  the  boy  was  15. 

In  those  early  days  a  familiar  sound  was  the  howl  of  wolves. 
He  helped  rid  the  surrounding  woods  and  plains  of  wolf  packs  which 
were  killing  hundreds  of  farmers'  cattle,  sheep,  hogs  and  horses.  A 
bounty  of  50  cents  for  each  wolf  killed  was  offered  at  the  trading  post 
in  the  county. 

He  learned  law  and  order  from  his  father  and  knew  the  thrill  and 
excitement  of  riding  with  his  father  while  helping  slaves  escape  on  the 
"Underground  Railway." 

After  his  father's  death  he  worked  at  many  jobs  including  that  of 
driving  a  mule  team  on  a  canal,  the  first  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  which 
was  being  built  to  bring  transportation  between  Lake  Michigan  and 
La  Salle. 

He  was  an  adventurous  young  man  and  tales  of  the  glorious  wild 
West  stirred  him.  At  the  age  of  18  he  decided  to  go,  on  foot,  to  St. 
Louis.  He  took  his  rifle,  knife,  a  bundle  of  clothes,  and  some  food 
with  him.  On  his  journey  he  shot  wild  game,  cooked  over  camp 
fires  and  worked  on  farms  in  return  for  food  and  a  place  to  sleep. 
He  found  St.  Louis  an  exciting  busy  center  with  steamboats  bringing 
cargo  from  the  East  and  reloading  with  western  goods. 

But  his  spirit  of  adventure  was  not  satisfied  and  he  journeyed  by 
boat  to  Kansas.  In  the  town  of  Monticello  there  was  a  shooting  con- 
test and  James  proved  a  sure  aim  with  his  rifle.  His  prize  was  a 
horse,  and  he  was  also  given  the  privilege  of  joining  the  organization 
of  "Red  Legs,"  an  antislavery  force. 

He  yearned  to  go  to  Santa  Fe,  680  miles  distant.  His  opportunity 
came  when  the  manager  of  an  oxen  caravan,  which  transported  mer- 
chandise of  daily  necessities,  asked  him  to  substitute  for  one  of  the 
drivers. 


362 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


In  Santa  Fe  he  met  the  idol  of  his  boyhood,  Kit  Carson,  who 
showed  him  the  town. 

Because  of  his  ability  in  handling  horses  and  men  he  was  asked 
by  company  headquarters  to  take  charge  of  a  caravan  of  wagons 
containing  rifles  and  ammunition.  This  he  did,  escorting  each  wagon 
safely  over  the  most  dangerous  part  of  the  mountain  road  and  as  he 
came  back  to  help  the  last  wagon  a  large  grizzly  bear  sprang  into  his 
path.  His  frightened  horse  threw  him  and  he  tried  to  kill  the  bear 
using  his  gun  but  had  no  success.  Two  cubs  scampered  across  the 
path  and  Wild  Bill  realized  why  the  bear  fought  so  fiercely.  Now  he 
drew  his  knife;  the  bear  clawed  his  legs  and  chest  terribly  and  tore 
and  crushed  his  left  arm  but  finally  he  killed  her,  then  lost  conscious- 
ness. He  was  taken  to  Stanta  Fe  to  recuperate  and  later  spent  the 
winter  in  Kansas  City  where  he  was  sent  to  a  hospital  by  the  Stage 
Coach  company.  He  regained  strength  by  spring  and  went  to  Nebraska 
to  work  at  Rock  Creek  Station  on  the  Oregon  Trail. 

The  Union  Army  had  a  depot  at  Ft.  Leavenworth  from  which 
supplies  were  shipped  to  Nebraska,  Missouri  and  elsewhere  in  Kansas. 
Wild  Bill  was  asked  to  handle  freight  for  them.  On  his  third  day  out 
some  guerrillas  attacked  the  supplies.  His  guards  retreated  and  the 
caravan  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands,  but  Wild  Bill,  after  being  chased 
for  seven  miles  finally  rode  free.  He  reached  Independence  to  ask 
for  troops  to  help  him  recapture  his  caravan  but  army  headquarters 
told  him  they  had  no  men  to  spare  and  referred  him  to  Kansas  City. 

Before  going  on  his  way  he  decided  to  eat  breakfast  at  a  restaurant 
owned  by  a  friend.  There  he  heard  a  commotion  and  found  some 
ruffians  were  holding  the  proprietor  a  prisoner  in  the  back  room  and 
were  trying  to  get  him  out  to  lynch  him.  They  threatened  Wild  Bill 
when  he  entered  and  although  they  far  outnumbered  him,  Wild  Bill, 
his  voice  ringing  with  authority,  ordered  them  to  leave  immediately  if 
they  wanted  to  leave  alive.  Facing  his  two  pistols  they  began  to  slink 
out,  and  the  town  sang  Wild  Bill's  praises. 

He  continued  on  his  way  to  Kansas  City  and,  with  his  soldiers,  he 
set  out  to  recapture  his  wagon  train.  After  a  brief  battle  the  guerrillas 
galloped  quickly  away. 

Wild  Bill  was  a  national  hero  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  War,  noted 
for  his  feats  of  daring  and  courage  and  skill.  He  joined  the  Union 
Army  and,  because  of  his  reputation  as  a  fine  marksman  and  a  fearless 
person,  he  was  made  a  scout,  the  most  dangerous  assignment  of  army 
life. 

He  had  many  narrow  escapes  behind  enemy  lines.  He  travelled 
by  night  and  on  one  occasion  he  and  four  other  scouts  came  shouting, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


363 


shooting  and  riding  like  the  wind,  and  pretending  they  were  a  large 
group,  thus  outsmarting  the  enemy  who  tried  to  capture  them.  They 
traveled  near  enemy  lines,  and  soon  reached  the  safety  of  the  home  of 
one  of  the  scouts  who  had  a  Cherokee  wife  living  with  her  people.  She 
informed  them  of  the  whereabouts  of  the  southern  forces  and  also  told 
them  that  a  Confederate  captain  was  traveling  through  heavy  timber 
carrying  valuable  papers  and  dispatches.  Wild  Bill  searched  for  him, 
captured  him,  and  found  the  dispatches  concealed  in  the  uniform.  These 
he  took  to  Springfield,  the  nearest  headquarters. 

Wild  Bill  now  had  orders  to  attach  himself  to  the  Confederate 
armies  south  of  Arkansas.  Here  he  was  recognized  by  a  corporal  who 
accused  him  of  being  Wild  Bill  Hickok.  Wild  Bill  was  taken  prisoner 
and  sentenced  to  be  shot  at  sunrise.  His  hands  were  bound  behind 
him  and  he  was  taken  to  a  cabin  for  the  night  and  placed  under  guard. 

When  Wild  Bill's  eyes  became  accustomed  to  the  darkness  of  the 
cabin  he  studied  his  surroundings  as  best  he  could  and  moving  about 
he  felt  with  his  body  to  determine  what  furnishings,  if  any,  there  were. 
He  found  they  consisted  of  a  straight  chair,  table,  bunk  and  stove.  The 
two  small  windows  were  barred.  He  struggled  to  free  himself  of  the 
ropes  but  to  no  avail. 

A  storm  brought  swift  streaks  of  lightning  which  showed  the 
outline  of  the  cabin  and  its  furniture.  He  found  that  the  door  had  a 
homemade  latch  which  opened  from  the  inside,  and  a  case  knife,  which 
was  pushed  into  an  auger  hole  of  a  log  beside  the  door  with  just  the 
handle  showing,  was  used  to  lift  the  latch.  Wild  Bill  stealthily  backed 
up  to  the  door  and  managed  to  grab  the  knife  handle.  In  a  corner 
of  the  room  he  pushed  it  securely  between  two  logs  and  in  this  manner 
he  managed  to  use  the  knife  and  cut  through  the  rope  binding  his 
wrists.  Then  very  cautiously  he  opened  the  latch  and  with  a  piece  of 
stove  wood  he  knocked  the  guard  unconscious.  He  pulled  him  into 
the  cabin  and  removed  the  uniform  and  put  it  on.  He  took  the  musket 
and  took  guard  at  the  door  outside  until  he  got  his  bearings  and  then 
dashed  to  freedom. 


In  the  fall  of  1862  Wild  Bill  was  sent  from  Springfield  with  dis- 
patches and  during  his  journey  he  met  with  three  mounted  guerrillas. 
One  man,  riding  a  black  horse,  had  a  packet  of  dispatches  wrapped 
around  his  waist.  In  the  gun  fight  which  followed  two  guerrillas  were 
shot  and  killed  and  the  third  on  the  black  horse  galloped  away.  Wild 
Bill  decided  to  follow  him  and  met  him  at  the  bend  of  the  trail  by  tak- 
ing a  different  route.  They  met,  fired  at  each  other  and  the  third 
guerrilla  lost  his  life. 


364 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Wild  Bill  thought  the  beautiful  black  horse  this  man  was  riding  was 
the  finest  he  had  ever  seen.  He  captured  it,  and  realizing  it  was 
government  property,  took  it  to  headquarters  and  asked  to  be  allowed 
to  purchase  it.  They  granted  this  and  sold  it  to  him  for  the  sum  of 
$250.  This  horse  had  a  coat  which  was  shiny  and  black,  a  fine  head, 
intelligent  eyes,  strong  and  straight  legs  and  a  deep  chest.  She  moved 
with  grace  and  smoothness.  Wild  Bill  named  her  Black  Nell  and  taught 
her  many  tricks.  The  most  famous  was  that  of  dropping  and  lying 
motionless.  This  was  accomplished  by  Wild  Bill  holding  his  hand  out 
to  a  point  where  Black  Nell  could  see  it,  then  lowering  it.  At  this 
signal  she  dropped  and  rider  and  horse  would  hide  from  danger. 

In  an  effort  to  clear  the  Indians  from  the  country  between  Ft. 
Hayes  and  Ft.  McPhersen,  Wild  Bill  worked  with  the  famous  General 
George  Custer,  who  complimented  him  on  his  good  judgment  and 
splendid  marksmanship. 

Wild  Bill  also  found  a  true  friend  in  Bill  Cody,  who  was  known 
as  "Buffalo  Bill"  because  of  the  many  buffalo  he  killed  as  an  official 
for  the  Kansas  Pacific  Railroad. 


Indians  kept  things  lively  in  the  West  and  in  one  encounter  Wild 
Bill  was  wounded  in  the  hip  by  a  Cheyenne  brave,  one  of  seven.  His 
faithful  horse,  Black  Nell,  carried  him  to  Ft.  Lyon  where  he  found 
a  letter  from  his  sister  urging  him  to  come  home  to  see  his  mother  who 
was  getting  old  and  feeble.  On  the  way  home  his  fine  horse  became 
ill  and  died  and  he  buried  her  in  Kansas  City.  He  continued  on  his 
journey  and  arrived  in  Troy  Grove  in  spring  to  have  a  happy  reunion 
with  his  family.  He  had  been  absent  from  home  for  13  years  when 
he  returned  in  March,  1869.  He  stayed  until  his  wound  had  healed. 
Dr.  Thomas,  of  Mendota,  lanced  it  and  scraped  the  bone,  and  he  soon 
recovered. 

Now  he  became  restless  and  yearned  to  return  to  the  West.  A 
letter  came  to  him  from  a  United  States  senator  from  Massachusetts, 
Henry  Wilson,  who  asked  if  he  would  serve  as  guide  to  a  group  of 
women  and  men,  including  himself,  who  wished  to  tour  the  west 
during  the  summer.  Wild  Bill  agreed  to  accompany  this  group,  asking 
a  fee  of  $500. 

They  spent  five  weeks  enjoying  the  wonderful  sights.  When  they 
returned  to  Hays  City,  Senator  Wilson  entertained  at  dinner  in  Wild 
Bill's  honor  and  presented  him  with  two  ivory-handled  pistols. 

At  Hays  City,  a  lawless  town,  people  were  looking  for  a  marshall 
and  prevailed  upon  Wild  Bill  to  accept  this  position.    He  had  placards 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


365 


made  informing  visitors  arriving  at  Hays  City  that  they  must  deposit 
their  fire  arms  or  weapons  at  the  saloons  or  at  the  city  clerk's  office. 

No  fist  fighting  or  gambling  was  to  be  allowed.  Wild  Bill 
performed  his  duty  according  to  the  law.  His  pistol  shots  were  ac- 
curate and  he  had  great  speed  in  drawing.  He  could  aim  accurately 
from  the  hip.  He  had  practiced  shooting  at  a  dime  to  gain  this  per- 
fection. 

So  successful  was  he  in  cleaning  up  Hays  City  that  Abilene  offered 
him  the  same  position,  which  he  accepted.  He  also  cleared  this  town 
of  its  wild  celebrations. 

James  Hickok  acquired  the  name  of  Wild  Bill  essentially  because 
of  his  great  courage  in  handling  men  and  dangerous  assignments. 
The  frontier  code  called  for  men  fearless  in  face  of  danger.  He  was 
not  a  desperado  nor  a  ruffian;  he  played  cards  but  was  not  a  profes- 
sional gambler. 


On  the  plains  Wild  Bill  wore  a  buckskin  suit  and  moccasins.  He 
had  a  flair  for  dress  and  at  the  time  of  his  trip  home  he  purchased  a 
broadcloth  suit  and  a  fine  linen  shirt.  He  wore  a  broad-brimmed  hat. 
He  was  tall,  six  feet,  two  inches  in  height  and  wore  his  hair  long,  down 
to  his  shoulders.  He  also  had  a  moustache.  He  had  a  physique  which 
would  have  made  a  fine  model  for  a  statue.  He  was  graceful  in  the 
saddle  and  a  handsome  sight  on  his  horse.  He  was  naturally  a  quiet, 
modest  person  wishing  to  avoid  the  limelight;  but  when  he  talked  it  was 
to  the  point. 

Buffalo  Bill  appeared  in  a  play,  a  regular  Wild  West  affair,  and 
he  persuaded  "Wild  Bill"  to  leave  the  West  and  go  to  New  York  to  try 
his  luck.  Wild  Bill  played  tricks  on  the  cast,  shooting  so  close  to  their 
legs  that  it  caused  them  to  jump  and  dance  when  in  reality  they  were 
supposed  to  fall  and  die.  Acting  was  definitely  not  to  Wild  Bill's 
taste  and  he  soon  left  the  make-believe  of  the  theatre. 

In  the  spring  of  1869  Wild  Bill  stopped  at  the  Passenger  House 
in  Mendota  and  was  visited  by  many  of  our  citizens. 

He  returned  to  the  West  and  in  1876  he  married  Agnes  Mersman 
at  Cheyenne,  Wyoming.  She  was  a  circus  owner  and  manager  and  had 
been  a  famous  equestrienne. 

In  June  of  1876  he  journeyed  to  the  rich  gold  mining  camp  of 
Deadwood,  South  Dakota.  He  had  traveled  with  friends  and  one 
afternoon  joined  a  group  who  were  playing  a  game  of  cards.  Although 
it  was  not  his  custom,  he  sat  with  his  back  to  the  door.  Taking  advan- 
tage of  this  situation  a  ruffian  by  the  name  of  Jack  McCall  fired  a  shot 


366 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


in  the  back  of  Wild  Bill's  head  and  he  dropped  forward  on  the  table  — 
dead. 

He  is  buried  at  Deadwood  in  the  Mount  Moriah  cemetery  where 
a  monument  has  been  erected  in  his  memory. 


HERBERT  O.  (FRITZ)  CRISLER 

Herbert  orin  crisler,  now  in  his  12th  year  as  Director  of 
Athletics  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  has  one  of  the  most  impressive 
records  in  intercollegiate  sports  history,  both  in  the  field  of  administra- 
tion and  in  coaching. 

Mr.  Crisler's  association  with  Michigan  began  in  1938  as  head 
football  coach  but  in  1941  he  was  elevated  to  the  athletic  directorship 
as  successor  to  the  late  Fielding  H.  Yost.  He  continued  this  dual  role 
until  1948  when  he  retired  from  coaching  to  devote  full  time  to  the 
increasingly  complex  duties  of  the  directorship.  As  a  coach  Mr. 
Crisler  established  a  brilliant  record.  His  Wolverine  teams  won  the 
Western  Conference  championship  twice  —  in  1943  and  1947.  They 
were  Rose  Bowl  Champions  in  1948. 

In  1947  he  was  named  "coach  of  the  year"  as  he  guided  his 
powerhouse  football  team  through  an  undefeated  season  that  was 
climaxed  by  a  49-0  victory  over  Southern  California  in  the  Rose  Bowl. 

During  his  ten-year  coaching  span  at  Michigan  his  teams  piled  up 
2,234  points  to  732  for  all  opponents  and  gained  26,598  yards  to 
17,321  for  the  opposition.  In  winning  the  Rose  Bowl  title  against 
Southern  California  on  January  1,  1948,  his  teams  concluded  a  14-game 
winning  streak.  Previously  Mr.  Crisler  served  as  head  coach  at 
Minnesota  and  Princeton,  and  his  life-time  record  at  all  three  institu- 
tions against  the  country's  top  teams  since  1930  shows  116  games  won, 
32  lost  and  nine  tied. 

Mr.  Crisler  was  born  in  Earlville,  111.,  January  12,  1899.  He 
attended  Earlville  high  school  for  one  year  and  spent  the  subsequent 
three  years  at  Mendota  high  school. 

His  classroom  work  was  of  the  highest  order.  Ambitious  to  enter 
the  medical  profession  he  maintained  an  average  of  94  throughout 
his  high  school  days.  This  earned  him  a  scholarship  at  the  University 
of  Chicago  in  1917  and  to  keep  it  he  had  to  maintain  a  "B"  average 
which  he  continued  to  do  throughout  his  college  career. 

An  accidental  meeting  with  A.  A.  Stagg,  famed  "Grand  Old  Man" 
of  football,  then  coaching  Chicago,  brought  about  Crisler's  introduction 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


367 


to  college  athletics.  That  meeting  also  might  be  termed  a  turning  point 
in  his  life  for  it  was  Mr.  Stagg  who  later  gave  him  his  first  coaching 
opportunity  and  who  counseled  and  guided  his  protege  as  he  moved 
up  the  ladder  to  success. 

The  great  Chicago  coach  edged  back  into  a  group  of  students 
watching  practice  one  afternoon  as  he  attempted  to  dodge  a  ball 
carrier  headed  his  way.  He  collided  with  a  tall,  gangling  youngster 
and  both  fell  to  the  ground.  Getting  to  his  feet  Stagg  snapped,  "Young 
man,  if  you  are  so  interested  in  football,  why  don't  you  get  a  uniform?" 

It  was  a  new  idea  to  a  young  man  whose  interest  in  athletics  was 
only  mild  —  but  the  idea  stuck.  He  reported  for  practice  the  next 
afternoon  because,  as  he  explained  later,  "I  wanted  to  see  the  inside 
of  the  gymnasium." 

He  saw  a  lot  more  than  the  inside  of  the  gymnasium,  and  a  lot 
more  still  when  he  got  outside  —  including  a  half  hour  of  scrimmage 
with  the  varsity.  It  was  such  a  discouraging  experience,  however,  that 
he  decided  football  was  not  for  him  and  he  turned  in  his  uniform. 

A  few  days  later  Stagg,  pedalling  along  a  campus  drive  on  his 
bicycle,  met  the  young  man.  "I  didn't  think  you  were  a  quitter,"  was 
all  he  said.  Next  day  Crisler  was  back  in  uniform,  and  in  due  course 
he  became  regular  freshman  end  and  his  striking  career  in  athletics 
was  begun. 


His  freshman  year  at  Chicago  was  interrupted  in  the  spring  of 
1918,  however,  by  World  War  I,  and  he  departed  for  the  Officers' 
Training  Camp  at  Camp  McArthur,  Waco,  Texas.  He  returned  to 
Chicago  in  January  1919,  and  it  was  in  this  year  that  he  began  to  come 
into  his  own. 

It  was  in  his  first  season  as  a  varsity  player  that  he  received  the 
famous  nickname  of  "Fritz".  As  a  sophomore  end  in  early  season 
practice  he  managed  to  disrupt  four  consecutive  plays  in  succession  for 
his  team  through  mistakes  and  ineptitude.  Finally,  Mr.  Stagg  called 
a  halt  to  proceedings  and  in  his  customary  dry  manner,  said  to  the 
embarassed  youth,  "Crisler,  you  are  'Fritz'  from  now  on,  after  the 
master  violinist  —  not  because  you  resemble  him  in  any  way,  but 
because  you  are  so  different. 

As  a  sequel  to  that  incident  many  years  later  Mr.  Crisler  became 
acquainted  with  Fritz  Kreisler,  the  violinist,  and  the  two  enjoyed  the 
joke  together.  Upon  several  occasions  when  the  violinist  has  given 
concerts  at  the  University  of  Michigan  he  has  played  the  latter's  favorite 
number  "Londonderry  Air"  for  the  Wolverine  athletic  director. 


368 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


"Fritz"  Crisler,  the  athlete,  won  places  on  the  All-Western,  upon 
Walter  Eckersall's  first  All-American  and  Walter  Camp's  third  Ail- 
American  during  his  undergraduate  football  career.  He  played  with 
distinction   upon   Chicago   teams   when   the   Maroons   were   powerful. 

In  basketball  he  started  playing  guard  in  the  second  Big  Ten  game 
of  his  sophomore  year  and  never  missed  a  contest  for  the  rest  of  his 
collegiate  career  —  a  career  which  included  the  captaincy  in  1921  and 
a  membership  on  all-conference  teams  of  1920  and  1921.  As  a  base- 
ball player  he  pitched  for  Chicago  during  his  three  years  there  and  made 
an  exhibition  trip  to  Japan  with  the  1920  Maroon  nine. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  his  athletic  career  he  had  earned  nine 
letters  in  three  sports,  the  second  athlete  in  Chicago  history  to  compile 
such  a  record.  He  graduated  with  146  honor  points,  two  more  than 
necessary  to  earn  Phi  Beta  Kappa  honors  but  due  to  a  technicality  he 
was  not  elected  to  the  group.  However,  he  did  earn  the  Western 
Conference  medal  for  proficiency  in  scholarship  and  athletics. 

Up  to  this  point  he  had  hopes  of  becoming  a  physician  and  surgeon 
but  financial  difficulties  beset  him  and  when  Mr.  Stagg  offered  him 
a  post  as  assistant  coach  in  football,  basketball  and  baseball,  two 
months  before  he  was  graduated  in  March,  1922,  he  took  the  position 
on  what  he  thought  would  be  a  temporary  basis,  or  until  he  was  able 
to  continue  medical  studies.  Two  years  later,  however,  he  became 
head  baseball  coach  and  assistant  director  of  athletics  at  Chicago  and 
his  life  work  was  cut  out  for  him. 

In  1930  he  was  offered  head  coaching  job  at  Minnesota  which  he 
accepted  and  his  major  career  as  coach  and  athletic  director  was 
launched.  At  Minnesota  he  first  became  football  coach  but  shortly 
afterward  was  advanced  to  the  athletic  directorship.  In  1932  Princeton 
University  beckoned  and  until  he  came  to  Michigan  in  1938,  his  teams 
won  35  games,  lost  nine  and  tied  five. 


As  athletic  director  at  Michigan  he  has  been  a  shrewd  and  able 
planner  and  business  man.  The  enlarged  Michigan  stadium,  now 
seating  97,239  persons,  is  a  result  of  his  planning.  A  new  hockey  rink 
and  golf  service  building,  new  baseball  stands,  a  new  women's  swim- 
ming pool  and  gymnasium,  all  of  these  things  have  been  consummated 
during  his  tenure  and  further  expansion   is  in  the  planning  stages. 

During  World  War  II,  he  travelled  thousands  of  miles  to  help  set 
up  athletic  and  recreational  programs  in  the  armed  services  and  two 
years  ago  went  to  Europe  to  help  set  up  football  programs  for  the 
overseas  forces. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


369 


Mr.  Crisler  is  married  and  has  one  son,  Prescott,  "Scotty",  now  a 
student  at  Stanford  University.  He  is  the  author  of  a  book  "Winning 
Football"  and  also  of  numerous  articles  dealing  with  football  and 
athletic  problems. 


HELEN  E.  HOKINSON 

TO  the  millions  of  devotees  of  The  New  Yorker  magazine's  very 
specialized,  often  outrageous,  always  droll  humor,  the  cartoons  of 
Helen  E.  Hokinson  were  always  a  highlight. 

Her  famous  "clubwomen",  feverishly  debating  over  inconsequen- 
tials,  produced  smiles  of  recognition  and  delight;  laymen  and  pro- 
fessionals shared  in  the  appreciation  of  her  artistry. 

She  was  born  in  Mendota  and  reared  here.  Her  father,  Adolph 
Hokinson,  was  of  Swedish  descent  and  for  many  years  a  salesman  for 
the  Moline  Plow  Company.  Her  mother  was  Mary  E.  Wilcox,  daughter 
of  Phineas  Wilcox,  the  well-known  lecturer  who,  because  he  had  once 
been  a  carpenter,  was  billed  on  lecture  tours  as  "The  Mendota  Car- 
penter." 

As  a  child  Helen  exhibited  a  decided  flair  for  art.  She  sketched 
pupils  and  teachers  at  school.  Children  were  delighted  with  the  pic- 
tures she  drew  and  many  of  her  sketches  were  allowed  to  remain 
on  the  blackboard  at  the  back  of  the  schoolroom  for  a  few  weeks 
before  being  replaced  by  another. 

Her  father  encouraged  Helen  during  her  school  years  in  Mendota. 
After  completing  high  school  she  had  a  growing  desire  for  instruction 
in  art  but  general  college  work  did  not  interest  her.  She  persuaded 
her  parents  to  allow  her  to  enter  the  Academy  of  Fine  Arts  in  Chicago. 

Following  a  year  of  study  she  began  drawing  fashions  for  ex- 
clusive dress  shops  on  Michigan  Avenue  and  for  large  department 
stores.  The  first  illustration  for  which  she  was  paid  was  of  a  pair  of 
gloves  in  a  Marshall  Field's  Advertisement. 

At  this  time  she  lived  in  a  studio  in  the  tower  of  the  Montgomery 
Ward  building.  The  great  poet,  Edgar  Lee  Masters,  lived  in  a  nearby 
studio. 

She  was  encouraged  by  friends  to  go  to  New  York  where  she  con- 
tinued fashion  illustration.  She  was  also  assigned  a  comic  strip  for 
Hearst's  newspapers. 

She  felt  the  need  for  further  study  and  went  abroad  to  Paris  where 
she  made  sketches  of  scenery  and  people.    These  were  later  utilized  as 


370         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


backgrounds  for  her  cartoons.  One  of  the  greatest  helps  to  an  artist 
is  knowing  the  principles  of  dynamic  symmetry,  the  use  of  design  in 
motion,  and  she  studied  it  over  a  period  of  five  years. 

On  one  occasion  she  sketched  a  fat  woman  waving  goodbye  to 
someone  on  a  departing  ship  and  took  it  to  art  class  for  criticism.  On 
seeing  it  her  instructor  laughed  heartily  and  urged  her  to  try  cartoons. 

She  presented  this  sketch  to  The  New  Yorker.  Not  wishing  to 
appear  to  rush  things  she  did  not  return  for  several  weeks,  little  real- 
izing they  had  been  trying  to  locate  her.  The  New  Yorker  launched 
her  fine  career.  Sometimes  three  or  four  cartoons  were  published  in 
a  single  issue.     In  addition,  she  occasionally  did  a  cover  in  color. 

Her  cartoons  were  spun  with  wit  and  imagination.  The  New 
Yorker  asked  her  to  supply  captions  for  them  and  her  dry  humor 
spiced  many  thought-provoking  lines. 

She  referred  to  her  plump  and  fluttery  clubwomen  as  "My  Best 
Girls."  She  found  them  everywhere  in  her  daily  life  —  at  clubs, 
lectures,  museums,  book  stores  and  at  many  other  large  gatherings. 
Her  cartoons  were  very  human  and  the  characters  had  an  innocent 
seriousness  about  everything  they  did  and  said;  Miss  Hokinson  did 
not  poke  fun  at  things  but  turned  situations  she  drew  into  fun. 

The  fat  women  wore  small,  high-heeled  shoes  and  many  types  of 
hats  and  often  mink  capes.  Being  women  of  the  well-to-do  class,  they 
endeavored  to  keep  up  with  the  fashion  trends,  especially  in  hats.  They 
loved  cats  and  dogs. 

Miss  Hokinson  herself  enjoyed  pets  and  had  a  tiger  angora  named 
Swenson  Mousilini.  This  cat  thrived  chiefly  on  a  certain  brand  of 
dog  food  which  he  ate  cold.  When  the  war  broke  out  and  horse 
meat  was  substituted  for  beef  the  cat  refused  to  eat  it.  Neither  would 
he  eat  fresh  beef  which  was  offered,  so  he  finally  died  of  malnutrition. 

Several  books  of  her  cartoons  were  published,  and  these  are 
veritable  treasures.  Her  cartoons  also  appeared  in  many  magazine 
advertisements. 


Her  work  was  accurate  in  detail.  She  kept  a  large  file  to  which 
she  referred  for  necessary  information.  Her  drawings  were  done  at  a 
common  table,  with  a  sewing  table  holding  the  various  art  materials 
needed. 

Helen  E.  Hokinson  was  a  modest  and  retiring  person,  small  in 
stature.  She  had  strong,  even  features,  large  violet  blue  eyes,  soft 
curly  hair  which  was  red  brown  and  turning  gray.  She  had  excellent 
taste  in  clothes  and  wore  what  best  suited  her.  She  loved  to  add  a 
dash  of  color  to  her  costume. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


371 


She  helped  many  worthy  causes  and  it  was  on  such  a  mission 
that  her  life  was  brought  to  a  close.  She  had  planned  to  address  a 
Community  Chest  fund  luncheon  in  Washington,  D.C.  and  had  boarded 
an  Eastern  Airlines  plane  at  LaGuardia  Field.  On  arriving  at  the 
National  Airport  in  Washington,  the  airliner  was  struck  by  a  fighter 
plane  which  was  owned  by  the  Bolivian  government  and  piloted  by  one 
of  their  flyers.    Both  planes  landed  in  the  Potomac  River. 

Helen  E.  Hokinson's  work  provides  the  world  with  a  rich  harvest. 
She  maintained  her  ideals  and  fulfilled  her  destiny. 


PETER  PHILIP  BILLHORN 

in  peter  philip  billhorn,  Mendota  produced  an  Evangelist  who 
was  to  become  associated  with  such  fundamentalist  leaders  as  Dwight 
L.  Moody  and  Major  D.  W.  Whittle. 

He  wrote  and  sang  his  own  songs,  and  invented  a  folding  organ  so 
that  he  could  play  his  hymns  wherever  he  traveled. 

Peter  Philip  Billhorn  was  born  in  Mendota  in  1869.  He  was  one 
of  a  family  of  six  children,  three  girls  and  three  boys.  George  F. 
Billhorn  was  the  father  and  his  mother  was  the  former  Catherine 
Niehardt. 

Peter  Billhorn  attended  grade  school  in  Mendota,  but  moved  to 
Chicago  when  fifteen  years  of  age.  After  completing  high  school  in 
Chicago  he  entered  college  at  Northfield,  Massachusetts,  and  later 
studied  music  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  Normal  School.  Still  later  he 
studied  voice  with  Hans  Palatka  and  George  F.  Root. 

In  Chicago  he  learned  the  business  of  carriage  making.  He  and 
his  older  brother,  Felix,  operated  the  firm  under  the  title  of  the  Eureka 
Carriage  Works.  Mr.  Billhorn  married  Nellie  M.  McCaughna  of  Byron, 
Michigan,  in  1894.  No  children  were  born  to  this  union.  She  died  in 
1932  leaving  an  estate  of  approximately  $210,000. 

In  1885,  Mr.  Billhorn  began  his  career  as  a  gospel  singer  and 
writer  of  hymns.  In  that  same  year  he  went  West  to  take  up  work  as 
an  evangelist  among  the  cowboys. 

In  his  evangelistic  work  he  became  associated  with  such  person- 
alities as  Moody,  Whittle,  Reverend  B.  Fay  Mills  and  Dr.  J.  Wilbur 
Chapman.  In  this  capacity  he  appeared  extensively  abroad  as  well  as 
in  the  United  States.  One  of  the  crowning  achievements  of  his  life 
occurred  when  he  was  selected  to  sing  and  lead  the  chorus  at  the 
World's  Christian  Endeavor  convention  in  the  Crystal  Palace  in  London, 


372 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


in  1900.  His  fame  had  achieved  such  heights  that  he  was  summoned 
to  appear  in  a  command  performance  to  sing  in  Buckingham  Palace 
before  Queen  Victoria.  With  his  extraordinary  voice,  he  continued  to 
sing  to  great  audiences  until  shortly  before  his  death.  At  one  of  his 
concerts  in  Mendota  at  the  Baptist  Church  there  was  an  attendance  of 
1000  people  and  many  were  turned  away. 

He  invented  the  folding  organ  in  order  to  meet  the  necessity  for  a 
light  portable  instrument  to  carry  with  him.  Legend  has  it  that  when 
traveling  he  noticed  men  passing  through  the  train  carrying  folding  tin 
dinner  boxes  and  the  idea  occurred  to  him  that  an  organ  that  would 
fold  up  was  what  he  needed. 

He  was  for  many  years  president  and  owner  of  Billhorn  Brothers, 
music  publishers  and  organ  manufacturers. 

Mr.  Billhorn  was  the  author  of  many  song  books,  some  for  male 
chorus  and  others  for  ladies  voices.  He  also  wrote  popular  sheet  music. 
Some  of  his  best  known  hymnals  include  "Crowning  Glory"  (1888)  ; 
"Soul  Winning  Songs"  (1889)  ;  "International  Gospel  Hymns"  (1905)  ; 
"Hymns  of  His  Grace"  (1907);  "Hymns  of  the  Second  Coming" 
(1911);  "Voices  of  Victory"  (1914);  "Songs  of  Peace  and  Power" 
(1916);  "New  Soul  Winning  Songs"   (1926). 

In  the  years  before  his  death,  in  1936,  Mr.  Billhorn  resided  in 
Chicago.  He  was  an  Elder  in  the  Fourth  Presbyterian  church  of  that 
city.  His  main  recreation  outside  of  his  work  was  an  avid  interest  in 
baseball. 


CLARENCE  BIERS 

another  mendota  artist  of  note  is  Clarence  Biers,  whose  spot 
drawings  appear  in  the  Saturday  Review  of  Literature,  Child  Life,  the 
New  York  Times  Book  Review  and  the  Chicago  Tribune  Magazine  of 
Books. 

Diverse  talent  has  produced  a  series  of  cartoons  published  for 
the  armed  forces  by  the  Consolidated  Publishing  Company  of  Chicago; 
among  the  many  paint  books  he  has  illustrated  and  written  are  those 
for  Whitman  Publishing  Company  of  Racine.  He  has  also  produced 
many  books,  including  four  titles  in  the  Glowing-Eye  series. 

He  was  born  in  Mendota,  and  spent  his  boyhood  here.  Clarence, 
his  five  sisters  and  two  brothers  grew  up  with  ponies  and  horses  as 
constant  companions,  his  father  being  a  prominent  horseman  and  own- 
ing a  set  of  stables  in  Mendota. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         373 


But  his  interest  in  art  developed  early,  and  at  the  age  of  16  he 
conducted  a  Children's  page  for  a  national  magazine  —  until  it  was 
discovered  he  was  too  young  to  hold  such  a  position. 

He  attended  the  Art  Institute  in  Chicago  a  year,  but  decided  prac- 
tical experience  would  be  more  beneficial.  Accordingly  he  presented 
some  sample  illustrations  to  Rand  McNally  and  Company,  who  recog- 
nized his  ability  by  commissioning  him  to  illustrate  a  new  book. 

He  now  lives  at  Arlington  Heights,  a  Chicago  suburb,  and  spends 
the  winter  months  in  Florida,  continuing  his  work  on  books. 


THE  BURRIGHTS 

among  the  top-ranking  names  in  horse  racing  circles  is  Bur- 
right;  the  family's  long  career  covers  many  triumphs  on  the  track. 

E.  T.  Burright,  better  known  as  "Jock",  was  one  of  a  family  of 
12.  He  farmed  for  Judge  Cartwright  and  also  rode  running  horses. 
Later  he  became  interested  in  harness  racing,  and  trained  and  raced 
the  one-time  world's  champion  mare,  Citation.  The  noted  running 
horse  of  Calumet  farms,  Citation,  is  named  after  the  trotting  mare 
Citation. 

At  least  four  brothers  in  the  family  followed  the  racing  profession. 
One  brother,  Forrest,  held  considerable  prestige  for  many  years;  and 
his  wife,  Neva,  became  the  famous  "Grandma  Burright". 

Harry  Burright,  the  son  of  "Jock",  drove  his  first  race  when  he 
was  thirteen.  He  then  followed  the  various  Illinois  and  Michigan 
circuits  until  he  started  racing  at  Aurora  Downs  and  at  Maywood  Park 
in  1946.  He  has  driven  numerous  horses  to  their  records  and  holds 
the  track  record  at  Maywood  with  the  mare,  Rose  Song. 

In  1948  he  was  the  world's  leading  driver  of  harness  horses,  win- 
ning 129  heats  in  that  racing  season,  a  record  which  has  never  been 
broken  but  which  was  recently  tied  by  Levi  Harner.  The  greatest 
horse  he  ever  drove  was  the  mare,  Proximity. 

Last  winter  he  trained  and  drove  with  the  Fitzpatrick  Stable  at 
Orlando,  Florida,  where  four  world  record  holders  are  located. 

Eugene,  a  brother  of  Harry,  also  trains  horses  at  Elkhorn,  Wis- 
consin. 

Mrs.  Neva  (Grandma)  Burright  has  participated  in  many  lively 
seasons  of  horse  racing.  Crowds  gathered  at  the  board  fence  near  the 
grandstand  to  watch  and  cheer  "Grandma",  one  of  the  leading  harness 
racing  drivers. 


374 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


She  was  born  on  the  infield  of  the  Illinois  track  at  Mt.  Carroll, 
Illinois.  An  only  child,  she  started  training  early  in  life.  Her  father, 
John  Lovelinson,  was  a  trainer,  and,  although  his  stable  of  horses  was 
not  large,  he  was  successful  in  his  work. 

She  married  a  trainer,  Bert  Holman,  and  both  she  and  her  husband 
drove.  At  his  death  in  1927,  she  took  the  responsibility  of  the  stable 
and  successfully  raced  the  horses  that  year. 

Two  years  later  she  married  Forrest  Burright,  at  that  time  from 
Oregon.     She  took  over  the  driving  and  has  been  quite  successful. 

They  raised  all  their  horses  with  the  exception  of  "Luckyette," 
who  had  a  record  of  2:04%.  "Puzzette"  at  2:04%  was  one  of  the  best. 
"Pokadot,"  a  pacer,  owned  by  a  Mr.  Schroeger,  and  raced  by  Mrs. 
Burright  for  three  years,  had  a  record  of  2:08%. 

Her  latest  horse  is  a  trotter,  "Copperhead,"  who  took  a  record 
last  year  of  2:11,  as  a  three  year  old.  This  horse  was  a  little  rough 
and  didn't  start  too  many  times.  Both  Mrs.  Burright  and  her  daughter, 
Joyce  Hankins,  drove  him.  Mrs.  Burright  finished  second  with  him 
at  Maywood.  On  one  occasion  this  horse  became  frightened  at  a 
water  sprinkler.  She  asked  Harry  Burright  to  drive  him  and  he  gave 
him  his  record.  Her  son,  Darrell  Holman  of  Mt  Carroll  also  drove  him 
several  races,  coming  in  second  and  third.  This  horse  is  now  in  his 
stable  and  is  going  to  Maywood. 

Mrs.  Burright  will  race  her  daughter's  horse,  "Kinny  Wyn,"  at  the 
Maywood  track.  This  horse  has  a  record  of  2:07,  taken  at  Fairmont, 
Illinois. 


AXEL  GUSTAF  GULBRANSEN 

WHEN  axel  GUSTAF  gulbransen  and  his  seven  brothers  and  sisters 
arrived  in  America  with  their  mother,  they  chattered  about  their  new 
home  in  the  only  language  they  knew  —  Norwegian. 

The  father  had  journeyed  from  Oslo,  Norway,  to  this  country 
five  years  before  and  as  soon  as  he  was  financially  able  had  sent  for 
the  family.  They  met  in  Chicago,  and  after  a  few  months  moved  to 
Mendota.  Axel's  language  handicap  and  the  fact  that  at  eleven  years 
of  age  he  had  to  enter  the  first  grade  singled  him  him  out  for  ridicule. 

Jeers  and  fists  —  one  kind  of  language  small  boys  understand  — 
made  life  miserable  for  Axel.  After  a  period  of  suffering,  he  decided 
one  Saturday  morning  to  meet  the  situation  and  master  it. 

A  big  boy,  four  years  older  than  he,  was  approaching  him  on  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         375 


narrow  high  plank  sidewalk.  This  fellow  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
shoving  him  down  into  the  mud.  But  this  time  Alex  carefully  measured 
their  distance  and  before  the  big  fellow  realized  what  was  happening 
Alex'  fist  shot  out,  and  the  surprised  boy  landed  in  the  ditch. 

This  encounter  gave  Alex  great  confidence  in  handling  many  such 
situations,  and  a  motto  he  observed  in  his  future  life  was,  "Finish  the 
job  fast,  do  it  thoroughly  and  go  on  to  something  else." 

Alex'  father  took  a  job  at  the  organ  factory  when  he  moved  to 
Mendota,  and  the  boy  learned  this  craft  after  school  hours  and  on 
Saturdays.  His  first  work  was  to  sandpaper  pieces  of  wood.  Later 
he  was  allowed  to  try  difficult  cabinet  work. 

When  he  reached  the  age  of  16  he  accepted  work  in  Worcester, 
Massachusetts,  devoting  evenings  to  violin  lessons  and  spending  most 
of  his  leisure  time  in  practice.  He  was  especially  interested  in  tone 
and  experimented  with  the  sounding  post  to  get  many  different  effects. 

Three  years  later,  deciding  he  needed  more  experience,  he  returned 
to  the  Midwest  and  enrolled  in  a  Chicago  business  college,  his  studies 
including  arithmetic,  writing  and  spelling.  Recognizing  his  educational 
deficiencies,  he  began  to  read  a  great  deal. 

When  his  small  bank  account  had  dwindled,  he  found  a  job  with 
a  company  making  pianos  and  organs.  He  was  soon  appointed  fore- 
man of  the  action  department  which  made  the  "inside"  of  organs.  He 
steadily  advanced  into  other  departments  and,  with  the  exception  of  a 
break  one  year  while  he  returned  to  Worcester,  he  continued  with  this 
company  for  20  years.  When  he  reached  the  age  of  40,  he  became 
superintendent  of  the  factory  at  a  salary  of  $4,000  a  year. 


In  1906  he  decided  to  establish  a  business  of  his  own.  His  wife 
and  friends  were  dubious  about  the  new  venture  and  tried  to  discourage 
him.  He  had  a  vision  of  making  pianos  play  automatically  and  planned 
to  invent  a  simple  apparatus  which  could  be  installed  in  an  ordinary 
piano  to  convert  it  into  a  player  piano.  There  were  many  heartaches, 
puzzles  over  plans  and  patterns  and  hours  of  experimentation  —  a 
hundred  problems. 

At  first  he  worked  in  the  basement  of  his  home.  Then,  needing 
a  larger  place  to  work  on  the  invention,  he  rented  a  small  loft  in  down- 
town Chicago.  His  savings  began  to  disappear  since  he  had  given  up 
his  job;  now  he  walked  miles  instead  of  riding  a  street  car,  and  he  ate 
lunches  at  free  counters. 

Almost  a  year  passed  before  he  perfected  his  invention  and  had  it 
thoroughly  tested.     He  applied  for  a  patent  and  approached  the  prob- 


376 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


lem  of  raising  money  to  start  a  business.  Enlisting  the  help  of  former 
friends,  foremen  and  workmen  his  efforts  raised  $12,000. 

A  fine  piano  was  fitted  with  the  player  apparatus  and  displayed  in 
a  Chicago  hotel.  Favorable  notices  appeared  in  papers  and  business 
began  to  grow.  Piano  manufacturers  demanded  its  invention  for  new 
pianos  and  in  six  years  the  business  spread  from  a  part  of  one  floor 
to  an  entire  six-story  building. 

Still  further  expansion  occurred  when  a  failing  piano  firm  was  sold 
to  Mr.  Gulbransen  by  bankers  who  had  foreclosed  it.  With  this  ac- 
quisition, he  decided  to  manufacture  his  own  pianos,  and  eventually 
had  50  important  patents  registered  in  his  name.  Today  there  is  still 
a  Gulbransen  Piano  Company  near  Chicago,  with  offices  in  Melrose 
Park. 


FERDNAND  VOLK 

ferdnand  VOLK  has  MADE  his  life  as  meaningful  as  it  has  been 
long.  His  95  years  include  more  than  25  as  a  member  of  the  Chicago 
Symphony  Orchestra  at  the  height  of  its  fame. 

He  exhibited  considerable  talent  even  during  his  boyhood  in 
Mendota.  Even  though  his  violin  performances  here  were  limited  to 
crude  instruments,  his  promise  was  apparent. 

He  and  two  companions  would  go  to  the  farms  in  the  surrounding 
territory  where  harvest  festivals  or  dances  were  being  held.  There  they 
would  delight  friends  by  playing  tunes  until  the  early  hours.  They 
would  return  home  on  foot,  often  without  remuneration  or  refreshment 
for  their  labor. 

Mr.  Volk  had  very  little  musical  training  in  his  home  town  but 
at  the  age  of  13  began  taking  lessons  in  Chicago.  Subsequently  he  made 
application  to  Theodore  Thomas  who  accepted  him  into  The  Theodore 
Thomas  Orchestra.  After  Mr.  Thomas'  death,  this  orchestra  became 
the  famous  Chicago  Symphony  Orchestra.  He  played  with  taste  and 
distinction  and  was  a  valuable  member  of  the  orchestra. 

Because  he  possessed  great  qualities  of  musical  scholarship  he  was 
in  demand  to  perform  at  many  concerts  and  his  musicianship  illumined 
many  a  dark  corner. 

He  saw  much  of  this  country,  a  great  deal  of  it  on  horseback.  He 
rode  to  Yellowstone  and  visited  its  wonders  before  it  became  a  state 
park.  He  was  a  constant  traveler  in  Colorado  and  California.  After 
he  was  pensioned  by  the  orchestra  he  visited  Europe. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         377 


Ferdnand  Volk  was  always  a  modest  person,  extremely  reticent 
about  talking  of  his  past  and  the  many  memories  which  crowded  his 
mind  and  heart. 

He  is  spending  the  latter  years  at  his  sister's  home  in  Oakland, 
California. 


FRANK  B.  KAUFMAN 

THE  past  president  of  the  widely  known  hardware  firm  of 
Hibbard,  Spencer,  and  Bartlett  is  another  who  has  Mendota  roots: 
Frank  B.  Kaufman. 

Upon  graduation  from  high  school  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  he 
started  work  as  an  order  clerk.  In  January  1906,  after  a  two-year 
training  period,  he  began  service  as  a  substitute  salesman.  Training 
in  this  line  brought  a  knowledge  of  people  and  human  nature  in  addition 
to  the  saleswork  and,  in  October,  1908,  he  was  assigned  a  territory  in 
northern  Illinois  with  headquarters  in  Mendota. 

For  almost  two  years  he  spent  the  week-ends  at  the  Depot  hotel. 
After  his  marriage  in  June,  1911,  he  established  a  home  in  Mendota, 
where  their  two  sons  were  born.  He  was  active  as  a  member  of  the 
Elks  and  Masons  and  was  affiliated  with  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Because  he  had  been  assigned  a  change  in  territory,  he  moved  to 
Dixon  in  1928. 

In  1932  he  accepted  the  position  of  sales  manager  of  the  company 
and  moved  to  Evanston.  He  was  elected  a  vice-president  in  1936  and 
became  a  member  of  the  board. 

When  the  time  came  to  select  a  new  president  in  1946  they  chose 
Mr.  Kaufman,  who  had  always  been  alert  to  business  opportunities. 
He  held  that  office  until  his  retirement  in  October,  1952. 


FLORENCE  DENISON 

Florence  denison's  exciting  career  with  the  Young  Women's 
Christian  Association  was  to  take  her  to  the  far  corners  of  the  earth, 
giving  her  an  understanding  of  the  cultures  of  other  lands  and  a  list 
of  friends  dotted  across  the  globe. 

She  received  an  appointment  from  the  National  Board  of  the 
Y.W.C.A.  to  go  to  Bombay,  India  as  General  Secretary  and  Physical 


378         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Director.  She  sailed  from  New  York  in  January  1913.  The  trip  was 
made  by  way  of  London,  Paris  and  the  Suez  Canal  and  extended  over 
a  period  of  about  three  weeks. 

She  spent  two  successful  years  in  Bombay  and  was  then  transferred 
to  Tahore  where  she  continued  her  work  for  another  three  years.  Her 
daily  duties  brought  many  interesting  contacts  with  the  Eurasian  people. 

Her  holidays  were  spent  in  sightseeing  in  different  parts  of  the 
country.  On  one  of  these  vacations  she  took  a  walking  trip  of  nearly 
400  miles  in  Kashmir  and  the  Himalaya  Mountains.  Upon  the  com- 
pletion of  five  years  of  work  she  travelled  extensively  in  China,  Japan 
and  Hawaii. 

After  returning  to  the  United  States,  she  served  as  foreign  person- 
nel director  with  the  National  Y.M.C.A.  in  New  York.  Later  she 
travelled  widely  in  the  United  States,  interviewing  candidates  for  foreign 
service.  She  continued  overseas  travel,  and  visited  Europe  and  North 
Africa. 

When  she  returned  from  India  she  arrived  in  San  Francisco  just 
in  time  to  contact  her  sister,  Faith,  who  was  sailing  from  New  York 
the  following  day  as  a  Red  Cross  nurse  to  France. 


LOUISE  ANSCHICKS 
PRUD'HOMME 

another  MENDOTA  woman  whose  chosen  career  took  her  far  from 
the  hills  of  home  into  adventure  and  danger  is  Louise  M.  Anschicks 
(Mrs.  Eli  S.  Prud'Homme).  Capt.  ANC  Retired,  whose  record  in  the 
Army  Nurse  Corps  Reserve  was  outstandingly  distinguished. 

A  native  of  Mendota,  she  and  her  husband  now  reside  in  San 
Francisco.  She  was  one  of  eight  children,  four  boys  and  four  girls, 
born  to  her  parents,  Ernest  and  Katherine  (Knauer)  Anschicks,  her 
father  having  four  other  children  by  an  earlier  marriage. 

Louise  attended  the  North  School  and  the  East  Mendota  Public 
Schools,  graduating  in  1907.  It  was  about  1909,  while  she  was  a  pa- 
tient at  the  Dr.  A.  W.  Chandler  Hospital  in  Compton,  Illinois,  that 
she  decided  she  would  like  to  enter  the  nursing  profession.  However, 
she  first  remained  at  home  for  several  years,  and  on  a  few  occasions 
attended  the  sick  with  Dr.  0.  P.  Harris. 

In  1912  she  entered  nurses'  training  in  Chicago  at  Englewood  Hos- 
pital, an  accredited  school  affiliated  with  the  Northwestern  University 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         379 


Medical  School  and  the  Children's  Memorial  Hospital.  She  was  grad- 
uated in  1915  with  a  class  of  13  members. 

After  a  short  term  of  private  duty  nursing  and  institutional  work 
she  answered  the  call  for  Red  Cross  Nurses  in  World  War  I.  She 
received  an  appointment  to  the  Army  Nurse  Corps  Reserve  in  1917 
and  was  stationed  at  Camp  Sherman,  Chillicothe,  Ohio.  Later  she 
was  transferred  to  West  Baden,  Indiana  General  Hospital,  a  temporary 
reception  center  for  wounded  from  France.  Other  assignments  included 
Lakewood,  New  Jersey;  Camp  Dix,  New  Jersey  and  New  Haven, 
Connecticut  General  Hospital,  No.  16.  After  completing  her  year  of 
service  she  returned  to  civilian  life. 

The  following  three  years  she  worked  in  Chicago,  as  a  member 
of  the  Visiting  Nursing  association,  giving  care  in  homes.  She  went 
East  and  took  post-graduate  courses  at  the  Manhattan  Eye,  Ear,  Nose 
and  Throat  hospital,  New  York  City,  for  six  months  and  at  Philadelphia 
Communicable  Disease  hospital  for  three  months. 

She  then  accepted  a  position  for  six  months  at  the  Philadelphia 
General  hospital.  This  work  was  followed  by  tubercular  nursing  in 
Colorado  and  subsequently  at  Fitzsimmons  General  hospital  where  in 
addition  to  tubercular  cases  there  was  general  hospital  nursing. 

She  worked  as  a  member  of  the  Regular  Army  Nurse  Corps  for 
20  years.  In  June,  1920,  a  National  Defense  Act  amendment  granted 
nurses  relative  rank  equivalent  to  that  of  commissioned  officers.  But 
it  was  not  until  April,  1947,  that  an  Army-Navy  Nurse  Act  was  passed 
and  nurses  given  full  commissioned  temporary  rank  and  all  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  the  male  commissioned  officers. 

Louise  Anschicks  was  assigned  duty  to  many  posts  within  and 
outside  the  United  States.  Her  station  assignments  on  foreign  duty 
included  Hawaii  from  1935  to  1937,  and  the  Philippines  from  June  1941 
to  Feb.  1945. 


The  years  1941-1945  included  Corregidor,  Bataan  and  three  years 
in  prison  camp.  She  was  among  ten  nurses  on  a  plane  which  was  dis- 
abled on  the  Island  of  Mindanao.  They  were  prisoners  of  the  Japanese 
there  from  the  time  of  the  surrender  of  General  Sharpe's  forces  in 
May,  1942,  until  August,  1942.  Then  the  Japanese  took  them  by 
various  methods  of  troop  transportation  and  boat  around  the  coast  of 
Zamboanga  to  Manila.  There  they  were  reunited  with  the  other 
Corregidor  prisoner  nurses  and  placed  in  Santo  Tomas. 

There  were  4  thousand  men,  women  and  children  who  were  pris- 
oners in  Manila,  but  the  nurses  were  the  only  military  persons  in  the 
group.    The  Japanese  did  not  consider  nurses  as  military  persons  when 


380         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


they  learned  that  their  relative  rank  was  not  connected  with  any  knowl- 
edge of  troop  formation. 

The  overflow  of  prisoners  from  San  Tomas,  about  2000,  were  sent 
to  Los  Banos.  Captain  Louise  Anschicks  arrived  at  Santo  Tomas  on 
September  10,  1942,  and  remained  there  until  liberation  by  General 
MacArthur's  Forces  on  February  3,  1945. 

In  spite  of  all  the  hardships  endured  Captain  Louise  Anschicks 
has  never  regretted  the  service  to  our  country  and  says  if  given  a 
second  choice  she  would  again  volunteer. 

She  received  many  awards  consisting  of  Army  ribbons  and  medals. 
She  was  given  a  raise  of  one  grade  in  rank  as  a  nurse  by  the 
order  of  General  Douglas  MacArthur.  She  was  also  awarded  the 
Bronze  Star. 

At  the  close  of  her  service  of  20  years  she  was  given  disability 
retirement  in  the  grade  of  Captain.  She  has  served  mankind  with 
eagerness  and  has  maintained  a  positive  outlook  on  life. 


LT.  COL.  ARLENE  G. 
SCHEIDENHELM 

military  AWARDS,  a  precious  possession  to  those  who  earn  them, 
tell  the  story  of  Arlene  Scheidenhelm's  unusual  career. 

She  is  the  recipient  of  the  Legion  of  Merit,  W.A.A.C.  service  medal, 
Army  of  Occupation  service  medal,  American  Theater  service  medal, 
and  World  War  II  Victory  medal. 

Arlene  G.  Scheidenhelm  answered  the  nation's  call  to  military 
service  in  World  War  II  when  she  entered  military  service  as  a  member 
of  the  Women's  Auxiliary  Army  Corps  in  August,  1942.  Her  military 
training  began  at  Fort  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  In  January  1943,  she  became 
an  instructor  in  the  W.A.C.  school  at  Commerce,  Texas. 

In  September  she  was  transferred  to  Manhattan  Engineer  District, 
Oak  Ridge,  Tennessee,  a  site  of  atomic  bomb  research,  where  she  held 
the  rank  of  commanding  officer,  W.A.C.  Detachment. 

In  November,  1946,  she  was  assigned  duty  in  Heidelberg,  Germany, 
as  a  member  of  the  staff,  Civil  Affairs  division,  Headquarters  European 
Command. 

Since  August,  1950,  Lt.  Colonel  Scheidenhelm  has  been  a  member 
of  the  staff,  Office  Chief  of  Army  Field  Forces,  Ft.  Monroe,  Virginia. 

She  was  born  and  reared  in  Mendota  and  upon  completion  of  her 
high  school  studies  she  entered  the  University  of  Illinois  from  which 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


381 


she  graduated  in  1932.  She  taught  in  the  Mendota  Public  Schools 
from  1933  to  1935.  She  then  accepted  a  position  as  director  of  women's 
activities,  personnel  and  recreation,  Owens-Illinois  Glass  Company, 
Bridgeton,  New  Jersey,  where  she  remained  until  she  entered  military 
service. 


JOHN  GUTKNECHT 


HON.  JOHN  gutknecht,  current  State's  Attorney  of  Cook  County, 
Illinois,  resided  in  Mendota  for  approximately  10  years  until  about 
1903. 

He  attended  Blackstone  school  and  finished  his  first  year  of  high 
school  at  old  Blackstone  high  school.  His  father  was  a  carpenter  and 
contractor  and  had  the  contract  for  the  carpentry  work  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  Evangelical  Church,  several  store  buildings  and  some 
houses  in  Mendota. 

The  family  moved  to  Chicago  about  1903  and  State's  Attorney 
Gutknecht  graduated  from  a  Chicago  high  school  and  entered  the 
University  of  Michigan  in  the  fall  of  1907.  While  at  the  University  of 
Michigan  he  was  the  roommate  for  five  years  of  the  Hon.  Harry  Reck, 
former  county  judge  of  La  Salle  county.  Both  men  were  chosen  for 
the  University  debating  team. 

State's  Attorney  Gutknecht  received  his  A.B.  degree  from  the 
University  of  Michigan  and  his  first  two  years  of  law.  He  then  went 
to  the  University  of  Colorado  where  he  received  his  Bachelor  of  Law 
Degree  and  then  returned  to  Chicago  to  practice. 

He  was  elected  a  municipal  judge  for  the  City  of  Chicago  and 
served  two  full  terms  of  six  years  each.  While  municipal  judge  he 
attained  considerable  fame  as  judge  of  the  Boys'  Court  and  also  as 
judge  of  the  Traffic  Court.  He  is  now  state's  attorney  of  Cook  county, 
having  been  recently  elected  in  November,  1952. 

He  has  traveled  extensively  throughout  the  world  and  is  an 
interesting  speaker. 


E.  B.  CARPENTER 

E.  B.  carpenter  was  a  master  in  his  craft.  When  he  moved  to 
Mendota  in  1860  to  establish  an  organ  manufacturing  company,  he  had 
already  attained  considerable  stature  in  America  as  a  builder  of  fine 
cabinet  organs. 


382         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


He  was  born  at  the  old  Carpenter  Homestead  on  Governor's  Hill, 
Guilford,  Vermont,  and  was  of  colonial  and  revolutionary  stock.  His 
grandfather,  a  Vermont  pioneer,  had  framed  the  constitution  of  the 
state  and  was  its  first  lieutenant  governor. 

Carpenter  came  to  Mendota  from  Brattleboro,  Vermont,  where  he 
had  previously  been  in  the  organ  manufacturing  business.  His  business 
here  was  likewise  successful;  he  constantly  improved  the  industry  with 
his  many  inventions,  one  of  which  was  the  divided  octave  coupler. 
His  Mendota  plant  employed  30  men,  a  sizable  number  for  the  1860s. 

His  son,  E.  P.  Carpenter,  learned  the  business  here  in  Mendota  and 
returned  to  Brattleboro  and  established  an  organ  building  firm  of  his 
own. 

His  expert  knowledge  fitted  him  well  for  an  appointment  as  judge 
of  musical  instruments  at  the  World's  Fair  in  Chicago  in  1893.  He 
acted  in  the  same  capacity  at  the  Fair  in  Antwerp. 

After  retiring  from  business,  E.  B.  Carpenter  returned  to  Vermont. 
He  joined  the  Carpenter  factory  there  as  superintendent  of  the  mechani- 
cal department.    His  life  came  to  a  close  in  Brattleboro  in  1891. 

Mr.  Carpenter's  daughter  was  married  to  George  Stoddard  Deni- 
son,  a  son  of  Rev.  Nathan  Denison.  Young  Denison  was  a  druggist  in 
Mendota  from  1869  until  his  death  in  1922. 


EDWARD  L.  SCHEIDENHELM 

Edward  L.  scheidenhelm  was  a  creative  giant  in  the  engineering 
field,  contributing  heavily  to  the  construction  of  the  Chicago  Municipal 
(now  Navy)   Pier  and  the  Savanna  Ordnance  Plant. 

He  and  his  three  brothers,  Frank,  Albert  and  Frederick  were  the 
sons  of  Jacob  and  Katherine  (Faber)  Scheidenhelm.  These  boys  were 
born  and  raised  in  Mendota  and  attended  Blackstone  school,  where  their 
father  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  education.  He  also  served  several 
terms  as  president  of  that  group. 

When  Edward  had  completed  high  school  he  entered  the  then 
young  and  small  University  of  Illinois  to  study  civil  engineering.  He 
was  graduated  in  1892.  After  working  for  engineering  and  construction 
firms  in  Chicago  for  a  number  of  years,  he  organized  his  own  con- 
tracting concern  in  1906. 

His  life  work  was  to  engage  him  in  such  projects  as  the  Savanna, 
Illinois,  Ordnance  Plant  built  in  1922;  and  the  Chicago  Municipal  Pier 
completed  in  1914.  He  also  served  his  alma  mater  as  chairman  of  the 
University  of  Illinois  Memorial  Stadium  building  committee. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         383 


He  retired  from  active  business  in  1930.  He  continued  an  interest 
in  community  planning  and  general  civic  affairs  in  Wilmette  and 
Evanston  until  his  death  in  1947.  Almost  until  that  time  he  also 
retained  a  great  proficiency  in  golf.  Another  leisure  time  activity  he 
enjoyed  was  garden  planning  and  landscaping. 


CYRUS  W.  BEST 

although  cyrus  w.  best's  musical  accomplishments  in  this  area 
were  considerable,  he  was  to  find  his  greatest  challenge  and  achieve- 
ment in  the  balmier  climate  of  Hawaii. 

He  was  born  in  Mendota  in  1865  and  resided  here  for  many  years, 
becoming  widely  known  as  a  splendid  pianist,  teacher  of  music,  and 
concert  promoter.  His  wife,  being  a  harpist,  shared  his  interest  in 
music. 

Mr.  Best  attended  college  at  Oberlin,  Ohio  and  graduated  from 
their  Conservatory  of  Music  in  1890.  He  later  had  appointments  as 
director  at  a  number  of  music  conservatories  throughout  Illinois.  For 
seven  years  he  was  director  of  a  concert  series  which  presented  2800 
performances.  During  World  War  I  he  was  director  of  Y.M.C.A. 
entertainment  for  soldiers  and  sailors  in  the  central  and  southern 
United  States. 

In  1919  he  and  Mrs.  Best  went  to  Honolulu  to  reside.  There  he 
contributed  to  the  cultural  life  of  the  islands.  Over  a  period  of  15 
years  he  arranged  musical  entertainment  for  the  Y.M.C.A.  every 
Sunday  afternoon.  He  performed  a  similar  service  for  Mid-Pacific 
Institute  and  was  active  in  church  work.  He  collected  autographs  of 
famous  musicians;  his  stamp  collection  was  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
Islands,  and  he  conducted  an  exchange  which  became  an  important 
interest  in  his  life. 

Mr.  Best,  dean  of  Honolulu  musicians,  died  at  the  age  of  83  years 
at  his  home  in  Manoa. 


FAITH  CARPENTER  DENISON 
OSTERGREN 

mendota's  student  nurses  and  Red  Cross  workers  have  a  striking 
example  in  Faith  Carpenter  Denison  Ostergren. 


384         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Joining  the  Red  Cross  nurses  during  World  War  I,  she  was 
assigned  in  April  1918  to  duty  in  France.  She  served  in  a  Red  Cross 
convalescent  home  in  St.  Cloude  and  was  later  transferred  to  Red  Cross 
Hospital  No.  5,  a  tent  hospital  in  the  Bois  de  Bologne  of  Anteiul,  a 
suburb  of  Paris. 

In  August  she  went  to  the  front  with  Evacuation  Hospital,  No.  11, 
and  also  with  Hospital,  No.  2.  After  serving  at  the  front  for  almost 
three  months  she  returned  to  Hospital  No.  5. 

She  then  received  an  appointment  to  the  North  Balkan  Commission 
for  Relief  Work  in  Serbia.  She  and  three  other  nurses  arrived  at  the 
remote  little  Serbian  town  of  Palanka  where  they  fought  typhus. 

The  young  Miss  Denison  was  the  recipient  of  many  distinctions. 
Because  of  her  outstanding  achievements  the  Serbian  Red  Cross 
awarded  her  the  medal  of  St.  Sava. 

In  New  York  she  was  one  of  12  Americans  to  whom  decorations 
were  awarded  by  the  direction  of  King  Alexander.  The  citations  were 
presented  by  Dr.  Todorovitch,  consul  general  of  the  Yugoslavian 
Kingdom. 

Miss  Denison  is  married  to  R.  C.  Ostergren  and  at  present  resides 
in  Boston.  She  is  active  in  community  affairs  and  has  done  much 
volunteer  work  during  the  West  Virginia  floods  and  during  World 
War  II  in  Boston. 


Is  the  tide  ebbing? 

We  cannot  foresee  what  lies  in  the  dim  distance.  But  we  look  to 
the  future  for  other  Mendota  people  to  carve  niches  of  national  fame. 
Some  of  these  careers  are  now  in  the  making.  We  are  confident  the 
tide  is  ever  "coming  in". 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         385 


N 


AND  l>OW, 
ON  THE  FAR  RIGHT  .  .  . 


L 


adies  and  Gentlemen,  please  step  into  our  surrey  with  the 
fringe  on  top  and  let  us  begin  our  tour  of  some  of  the  interesting  land- 
marks of  Mendota.  Now  that  you've  seen  the  thriving  industries, 
modern  schools,  and  beautiful  churches  and  homes,  let  us  point  out 
some  of  the  places  of  historic  interest.  On  the  far  right,  we  call 
your  attention  to  .  .  . 

This  unimposing  brick  structure  where  Washington  street  meets 
Main  street,  has  been  witness  to  many  events  the  past  100  years.  For 
it  is  now  the  Illinois  Central  freight  house,  but  was  the  first  brick 
structure  built  in  Mendota  in  1853  and  was  used  as  a  warehouse  in 
its  early  years. 

As  we  drive  down  Sixth  street,  westward,  you  see  another  brick 
structure,  originally  the  Eagle  Mills  building,  erected  about  1865  by 
one  Frank  Korteck.  Not  so  long  ago  a  tavern  occupied  the  premises 
and  called  itself,  appropriately  enough,  "the  Old  Mill". 

On  your  right  as  we  go  on,  please  note  the  cannon  which  adorns 
our  City  Park.  Though  you  might  more  correctly  call  it  an  artillery 
piece,  we  Mendotans  have  always  called  it  "the  cannon"  and  always 
will.  After  the  first  world  war  the  federal  government  gave  such  a 
cannon  to  any  American  Legion  post  requesting  one.  With  it  came  a 
number  of  cannon  balls  and  for  years  these  formed  a  pyramid  nearby. 
Then  came  Pearl  Harbor  and,  needing  scrap  iron  badly,  the  govern- 
ment asked  that  all  trophies  be  returned  for  scrap  metal.   The  promise 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


387 


was  given  that  they  would  be  replaced  when  possible.  This  agreement 
was  fulfilled  and  the  cannon  you  see  today  was  received  in  1947. 

Moving  on  into  the  next  block  we  note  a  long,  two-story  frame 
building  on  our  left.  This  building  housed  the  old  organ  factory,  now 
remodeled  into  apartments.  Under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Carpenter, 
a  cottage  organ  building  business  was  established  in  1865  in  a  one- 
room  building  several  blocks  east  on  this  same  street.  In  1875  the 
business  was  incorporated  and  moved  to  this  spot,  where  it  employed 
over  100  men  and  sold  several  thousand  organs  annually.  The  indus- 
try and  many  of  its  employees  later  moved  to  Ottawa  following  an 
altercation  over  fire  protection. 

Some  of  these  organs  are  still  in  existence.  One  very  nice  one 
may  be  seen  in  the  Bureau  County  Historical  Society  exhibit  in  Prince- 
ton. 


THROUGH  THE  YEARS 

In  the  next  block  on  your  left,  at  1105  Sixth  street,  stands  the 
Denison  house.  This  once-famous  show  place  was  built  in  1867  by 
the  Mr.  Carpenter  who  established  the  organ  factory,  and  is  still 
occupied  by  members  of  his  family.  Many  of  the  furnishings  in  this 
house  were  brought  from  Vermont  when  the  pioneers  came  west.  One 
interesting  feature  is  the  grandfather  clock.  The  case  had  been  dam- 
aged by  fire;  so  the  works  were  removed  and  built  into  the  dining 
room  wall  where  they  are  still  telling  the  time  of  day. 

When  the  present  owners  decided  to  insulate  the  house  recently, 
they  discovered  that  it  had  been  done  for  them  many  years  ago.  All 
the  walls  were  constructed  with  double  air  spaces.  This  is  probably 
one  of  the  earliest  examples  of  home  insulation. 

The  large  Denison  house  originally  stood  in  the  center  of  exten- 
sive grounds,  surrounded  by  a  picket  fence.  Within  this  enclosure 
was  a  beautiful  iron  fountain,  cascading  water  into  a  basin  containing 
goldfish.  The  water  came  from  a  well  in  the  back  yard  and  was 
forced  to  the  fountain  by  a  windmill.  There  were  no  city  water  mains 
in  those  days.  The  Denison  fountain  was  a  "must"  on  the  list  of 
things  to  be  seen  while  on  a  Sunday  walk  in  those  days.  Even  though 
part  of  the  spacious  grounds  has  been  sold  and  the  fountain  removed 
to  the  back  yard,  this  house  still  reflects  the  charm  of  gracious  hos- 
pitality. 

And  now,  as  our  tour  approaches  the  end  of  Sixth  street  at  Thir- 
teenth avenue,  we  see  an  impressive  three-story  edifice  which  is  still 


388 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


called  "The  Seminary".  A  Presbyterian  minister,  James  Henderson, 
erected  the  building  on  a  tract  of  land  donated  by  Timothy  Blackstone. 
In  1857  the  school  was  opened  with  about  200  students  from  Mendota 
and  vicinity.  Until  Mr.  Henderson's  death,  classes  were  conducted 
in  connection  with  the  local  Presbyterian  church. 

Later  the  building  was  sold  to  private  interests  and  then  became 
the  "Hoffman  House",  a  very  elegant  hotel.  It  is  now  used  as  an 
apartment  house.  In  spite  of  the  impressive  facade,  the  Seminary 
building  is  not  nearly  as  large  as  it  appears  because  it  is  narrow  from 
front  to  back.  We  cannot  help  but  wonder  if  it  was  so  designed  in 
order  to  impress  the  approaching  student  and  his  family. 

Now  we  turn  to  the  right  and  drive  along  Thirteenth  avenue  to 
Washington  street.  In  order  to  see  one  of  Mendota's  most  unusual 
landmarks,  we  jog  one  block  east  on  Washington  to  Iowa  avenue.  On 
this  corner  is  our  famous  "Octagon"  house.  It  is  the  Warren  Clark 
house,  an  eight-sided  affair  built  in  1853,  truly  an  object  of  Centennial 
interest.  This  old  house,  because  of  its  architectural  novelty,  is  de- 
scribed in  the  book,  "Historic  Illinois  Houses". 

Plans  were  taken  by  Mr.  Clark  from  a  volume  written  by  Profes- 
sor 0.  S.  Fowler,  a  noted  phrenologist  of  his  day.  There  is  no  evi- 
dence of  phrenological  symbolism  in  the  unusual  wedgelike  shape  of 
the  rooms.  That  Prof.  Fowler's  ideas  did  influence  home  builders  is 
indicated  by  the  fact  that  these  octagonal  houses  are  found  in  various 
parts  of  the  country.  Interior  trim  is  of  pine  and  the  staircase  of 
walnut.  Another  home,  built  along  similar  lines  on  the  opposite  side 
of  this  street,  was  considered  a  bit  more  elegant  because  it  boasted  a 
fancy  cupola  on  its  roof. 


ON  WITH  THE  TOUR 

Where  Iowa  meets  Jefferson  street  we  see  the  Theurer  house. 
This  is  a  small,  white  frame  dwelling  which  was  moved  to  its  present 
location  from  the  old  brewery  site  located  a  few  blocks  to  the  east. 
This  house  and  with  one  standing  on  Wisconsin  avenue,  were  used 
as  office  and  warehouse  in  connection  with  the  Volk  brewery  built 
early  in  Mendota's  history.  An  old  photograph  in  the  possession  of 
Fred  Bauer  shows  that  these  houses  were  in  existence  when  the  main 
brewery   building  was   erected. 

Later  they  were  moved  to  their  present  locations  and  replaced 
by  more  modern  facilities.  Even  the  porch  trellis,  a  part  of  the  origi- 
nal structure,  has  survived  the  ravages  of  time. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         389 


Now,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  we  turn  one  block  back  to  Thirteenth 
avenue  and  a  short  distance  north  on  highways  51  and  52,  bringing 
us  to  Lake  Mendota.  We  drive  in  and  park  a  few  moments  while  we 
try  to  recreate  this  spot  as  it  was  many  years  ago.  Lake  Mendota  is  a 
recreational  project  developed  in  recent  years  by  a  group  of  public 
spirited  citizens  and  is  supported  by  municipal  taxation.  This  small 
but  picturesque  lake  was  truly  made  by  man. 

Originally  it  was  dug  out,  a  shovelful  at  a  time,  to  provide  a 
reservoir  of  water  for  use  in  Burlington  railroad  locomotives.  Gravity 
carried  the  water  through  a  large  pipe  to  the  point  where  it  was  run 
into  locomotive  tenders.  In  the  early  days  it  was  called  the  "big  pond" 
and  was  a  mecca  for  the  bent-pin  fishermen  of  this  area. 

Most  Mendota  men  recall  the  days  when  they  packed  a  sandwich 
in  one  end  of  a  peach  basket  and  a  can  of  worms  in  the  other  to  spend 
a  delightful  summer  day  fishing  for  bullheads  at  the  Big  Pond.  Some 
of  the  more  adventurous  boys  sometimes  demonstrated  their  bravery 
by  spending  a  night  camping  on  its  shores.  Adventure  indeed,  espe- 
cially if  thunderstorms  added  to  the  occasion. 

In  the  winter  the  pond  was  the  source  of  ice  for  all  the  ice  boxes 
in  town.  After  cold  weather  had  frozen  the  water  to  sufficient  thick- 
ness, the  ice  was  cut  into  huge  blocks  and  carted  to  the  old  ice  house 
near  the  shore,  there  packed  in  sawdust  to  await  hot  weather.  Until 
men  and  teams  took  over  for  ice-cutting,  the  pond  was  the  scene  of 
gay  skating  parties.  Many  a  high  school  romance  flowered  there  dur- 
ing the  skating  season. 

Our  tour  now  proceeds  east  on  Meriden  street  and  a  few  doors 
north  on  Illinois  avenue  brings  us  to  the  Advent  Christian  church,  an 
attractive  white  frame  building  which  is  of  historic  interest.  In  1856 
the  Lutherans  erected  a  college  in  the  northern  section  of  the  city. 
A  part  of  this  present  Advent  Christian  church  was  used  as  a  place 
of  worship  in  connection  with  the  Lutheran  college.  Later,  Wartburg 
Seminary  from  Dubuque,  Iowa,  took  over  the  college  building  and 
enlarged  it. 

The  original  college  building  was  then  used  as  a  dormitory  for 
the  students  and  still  stands  in  that  vicinity.  It  is  being  used  as  a 
dwelling  and  may  be  seen  one  block  east  and  one  block  south  of  our 
present  high  school. 

Proceeding  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Fifth  avenue  and  Seventh 
street,  we  see  the  home  of  George  Nisley,  which  was  originally  the 
Free  Will  Baptist  church.  You  will  note  the  church-like  entrance  tower 
and  windows  at  the  front  of  the  residence. 

390         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


BECAUSE  OF    X  OU 


Y 


B 


^UT  mendota  today  is  not  the  result  of  events  and  circum- 
stances alone;  the  bulwark  of  every  community  is  its  people,  and  the 
fate  of  any  pioneer  settlement  depends  upon  the  hardiness  of  its  stock. 

And  thus  it  was  with  Mendota;  the  city  grew  because  its  first 
residents  were  people  of  vision  who  saw  beyond  the  malaria-infested 
bogs  into  the  future.  Many  of  them  never  saw  their  dreams  mate- 
rialize; others,  however,  lived  into  the  present  century  and  witnessed 
the  full  evolution  from  settlement  to  city. 

This  chapter  is  devoted  to  brief  biographies  of  many  of  the  first 
Mendotans.  It  must  unfortunately  be  incomplete,  for  true  pioneers 
are  seldom  impressed  with  their  own  importance  and  often  leave 
but  one  record  of  their  existence:  the  city  they  built. 


ISAAC  ECKERT 

ISAAC  eckert  was  born  in  Lebanon  County,  Pennsylvania  in 
1844.  At  the  age  of  four,  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  the 
Rev.  Joseph  and  Nancy  Eckert.  It  took  them  six  weeks  to  make  the 
journey,  coming  by  teams.  They  settled  on  a  farm  east  of  Mendota, 
where  Isaac  lived  until  his  death  in  1896.  In  January,  1864,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  C,  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  Nashville  and  other  engagements.  He  remained  in  active 
service  until  the  close  of  the  war  when  he  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         391 


Of  the  five  children  born  to  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Snyder)  Eckert 
two  are  still  living;  John  A.  and  Julia  M.   (Mrs.  Ira  Morehouse). 

ARTHUR  C.  McINTIRE 

born  in  Maine  in  1836,  Mr.  Mclntire  came  to  Mendota  Town- 
ship at  about  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  de- 
voted most  of  his  time  to  stock-raising.  He  raised  shorthorn  cattle, 
road  and  draft  horses,  and  Cotswold  sheep.  His  farm  was  known  as 
the  Vermillion  Springs  Stock  Farm. 

Mr.  Mclntire  was  a  prominent  and  influential  member  of  the 
Republican  Party  in  local  and  state  politics.  He  served  on  Governor 
Oglesby's  staff,  and  as  Township  Supervisor  for  five  years. 

RICHARD  PEART 

RICHARD  PEART,  born  in  Scotterthrope,  Lincolnshire,  England, 
March  6,  1834,  came  to  Mendota  shortly  after  his  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  Jewett  in  1854.  He  was  employed  in  a  meat  market  and  later 
started  his  own  business.  After  operating  his  market  for  forty  years, 
he  retired. 

Residents  of  Mendota  who  are  grandchildren  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Peart  are  Mr.  F.  E.  Cavell,  Mrs.  L.  Knauer,  and  Mrs.  W.  G.  Van  Etten. 

ADONIRAM  AND  ARZA  SMITH 

IN  1845,  two  large  covered  wagons  left  Monkton,  Vermont,  many 
weeks  later  reached  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  and  settled  on  farm 
land  a  few  miles  east  of  what  is  now  Mendota.  Adoniram  Smith,  wife 
Laura,  and  six  children  were  in  one  wagon;  Arza  Smith,  wife  Polly, 
and  four  children  were  in  the  other.  In  Vermont  these  two  brothers, 
and  two  who  didn't  come  west,  were  cabinet  makers,  making  furniture, 
carriages,  etc.  They  made  their  own  covered  wagons  and  all 
the  furniture  to  take  west  to  their  new  homes. 

The  children  enjoyed  the  trip,  and  years  later  told  of  the  hospi- 
tality of  earlier  settlers  in  Ohio  and  Michigan.  They  remembered  es- 
pecially the  pears  and  apples  and  other  food. 

Adoniram's  oldest  son  was  Joseph  who  married  Celia  Rust;  two 
of  their  grandsons,  Archie  Smith  and  Roland  Smith,  live  with  their 
families  on  land  purchased  by  Smiths  in  the  early  days. 

Arza's  only  daughter,  Amanda,  married  Reuben  Crandall,  and 
lived  on  a  farm  southeast  of  Mendota.  Their  grandchildren  have 
scattered  to  Michigan,  Colorado,  Montana,  and  California.  Ina  Jones 
and  Grace  Wright  are  the  only  ones  living  near  Mendota.    A  cherry 

392         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


lampstand  and  a  few  other  pieces  of  furniture  that  came  from  Vermont 
are  still  in  use. 

JOHN  WESLEY  HASTINGS,  SR. 

JOHN  wesley  Hastings,  SR.,  came  in  1853  from  Moorfield,  Har- 
rison Co.,  Ohio,  to  LaSalle  Co.,  Illinois.  He  purchased  a  large  acre- 
age of  farm  land,  then  put  up  a  store  building,  and  a  large  residence. 
He  gave  land  to  the  Methodists  for  their  church  building.  John,  Jr., 
and  Samuel,  the  two  oldest  of  seven  sons,  had  attended  Business  Col- 
lege in  Columbus,  Ohio,  so  helped  to  manage  the  store.  Two  sons, 
Charles  and  Thomas,  were  soldiers  in  the  Union  Army — Thomas  was 
killed  in  battle. 

Samuel  later  operated  a  drug  store  until  1898,  when  he  retired. 
The  Hastings  home,  erected  in  1854  by  John  W.  Hastings,  is  located 
at  the  corner  of  Monroe  Street  and  Michigan  Avenue,  and  is  one  of 
the  landmarks  of  Mendota.  The  only  descendant  living  in  Mendota 
now  is  Wesley  Hastings  Wright. 

DANIEL  McNETT 

OH  WHAT  FUN  there  really  is  in  a  family  of  17  children.  This 
was  the  number  of  mouths  Daniel  and  Mary  Boomer  McNett  had  to 
feed  when  they  came  to  Mendota  in  1858  from  Virgil,  N.  Y. 

Daniel  bought  the  building  at  the  corner  of  6th  Street  and  6th 
Avenue  now  occupied  by  Grubb's  service  station,  and  started  a  grocery 
store  which  he  operated  for  many  years. 

When  this  family  came  west  they  of  course  brought  their  most 
treasured  possessions.  Among  these  was  a  Melodian  made  by  Mason 
and  Hamlin  of  Boston,  the  first  organ  of  its  kind  in  LaSalle  County. 
People  came  for  miles  around  to  spend  evenings  playing  and  singing 
to  its  lovely  music. 

Mrs.  David   (Hazelmae  Nisley)   Reese  now  has  this  Melodian. 

The  grandchildren  living  around  Mendota  are  Mrs.  John  (Mabel 
Powell)  Ortgiesen,  Charles  D.  Powell,  and  Mrs.  Wilfred  (Anna 
McNett)   Hoagland. 

JACOB  L.  NISLEY 

born  IN  1839,  Jacob  Nisley's  family  came  by  covered  wagon  and 
boat  from  Pennsylvania  to  Peru  and  settled  south  of  Mendota  in  1840. 
His  parents  farmed  and  also  ran  Peek's  Tavern,  an  inn  where  many 
migrating  families  stopped  for  the  night  on  their  westward  trek. 

He  taught  school  for  several  years  and  married  Isabelle  Rife, 
one   of  his  pupils.    Coming  to   Mendota  he  worked  for  Fowler  and 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         393 


Garrison,  meat  dealers.  Later  he  bought  Garrison  out  and  until  1867 
continued  this  business  with  Mr.  Fowler. 

In  the  summer  of  '67,  Mr.  Nisley  entered  politics,  running  for 
Superintendent  of  Streets.  Winning  this  election  he  held  the  office  for 
nearly  forty  years.  His  first  vote  was  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  This  made 
his  brothers  so  angry  that  they  made  him  walk  home.  With  each  step 
he  took  he  vowed  more  and  more  that  he  never  never  never  would 
vote  anything  but  the  Republican  ticket.    He  died  in  1918. 

The  living  children  are  George  W.,  Mrs.  Albert  (Mabelle  Nisley) 
Blotch  and  Jacob  Nisley.     The  late  Edgar  P.  Nisley  was  another  son. 


NEHEMIAH  HOWARD  JOHNSON 

NEHEMIAH  HOWARD  JOHNSON  was  born  May  26,  1807,  in  Hard- 
wick,  Mass.,  came  by  boat  in  1837  to  Peru,  Illinois,  then  walked  to 
what  is  now  LaMoille,  and  decided  to  settle  there.  He  was  a  brick 
mason  by  trade;  there  are  still  many  buildings  in  Bureau  County 
which  he  helped  to  erect. 

In  1849  he  purchased  seventy-two  acres  of  land  east  of  LaMoille 
from  the  government,  and  built  the  main  part  of  the  farmhouse  which 
is  still  standing.  He  taught  school  during  the  winter  months  near 
Perkins  Grove.  In  1841  he  married  Eunice  Randall  of  Barre,  Mass., 
who  died  a  few  years  later,  leaving  a  daughter,  Isabelle. 

In  1857  he  married  Amanda  L.  Mills,  who  had  come  to  that 
community  with  her  parents  in  a  covered  wagon  from  Ticonderoga, 
New  York,  and  was  teaching  school  near  LaMoille.  They  lived 
first  in  Clarion  Township,  and  later  purchased  and  moved  to  a  farm 
three  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Mendota.  It  was  known  for  many  years 
as  the  Dan  Reeder  farm  and  is  now  owned  by  Willard  Otterbach.  In 
1871  the  Johnson  family  moved  to  Mendota  and  made  their  home  for 
the  next  thirty-one  years  in  the  large  brick  house  on  Fifth  Street 
which  later  became  the  Lewis  &  Clark  Maternity  Hospital,  and  is  now 
an  apartment  house. 

Four  daughters  were  born  to  the  Johnsons:  Ella,  Lucy,  Hattie 
(Mrs.  W.  T.  Holliston)  and  Sarah  (Mrs.  J.  W.  Johnson).  Mr.  Johnson 
was  always  prominent  in  the  communities  in  which  he  lived  and 
during  slavery  his  home  was  a  refuge  for  the  oppressed.  He  was  in 
the  Loan  business  for  many  years  and  held  mortgages  on  numerous 
pieces  of  property  in  and  near  Mendota.  He  died  in  1902  at  the  age 
of  95  years;  his  wife  died  in  1929  at  the  age  of  96.  The  direct  de- 
scendants of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  now  living  in  Mendota  are  three 
grandchildren,  Arthur  and  Neil  Holliston  and  Mrs.  Edith  Fahler. 


394 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


REUBEN  A.  PRESCOTT 

reuben  A.  prescott  was  born  February  25,  1818  in  Grafton, 
Mass.  He  married  Mary  Rebecca  Prescott,  May  23rd,  1843.  He  was 
country  store  merchant  in  Epping,  New  Hampshire  before  coming  to 
Mendota  in  June  1855  leaving  behind  his  wife  and  three  small  chil- 
dren. He  purchased  a  farm  north  of  Mendota  which  is  now  known 
as  the  Matychowiak  farm.  Being  a  good  carpenter  he  built  a  three- 
room  cottage  then  went  back  East  for  his  wife  and  children. 

They  traveled  to  Chicago  via  the  water  route  from  the  East,  then 
to  Mendota  via  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  as  it  had  just  been  completed. 

After  his  son,  Alfred,  was  old  enough  to  take  over  the  farm  work 
he  and  his  wife  moved  to  Mendota  and  operated  a  meat  market  on 
North  Main  Street.  Later  he  opened  a  shoe  store  in  the  same  building, 
selling  merchandise  supplied  by  Mrs.  Prescott's  brother,  Samuel,  a 
shoemaker  in  the  East. 

Mrs.  Prescott  passed  away  in  1886,  Reuben  in  1888.  Both  are 
buried  in  Restland  Cemetery  in  Mendota. 

Descendants  living  in  this  vicinity  are  the  Prescott  brothers,  Gale, 
Frank,  Allen  and  Guy.  Mrs.  Paul  Stenger  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Martin  are 
also  direct  descendants. 

PARDON  CRANDALL 

pardon  crandall  of  Hopkinton,  R.  I.,  and  Canterbury,  Conn., 
had  every  reason  for  wanting  to  make  a  new  start  in  a  new  state.  In 
1833  and  1834,  his  daughter,  Prudence,  had  been  a  target  for  com- 
munity hostility  when  she  attempted  to  operate  a  school  for  colored 
children.  In  1837,  his  daughter,  Almyra,  died  after  a  long  and 
painful  illness.  In  January,  1838,  he  received  word  that  his  son,  Dr. 
Reuben  Crandall,  had  died  in  Jamaica  of  a  lung  disease  contracted 
while  in  Federal  prison,  awaiting  trial  on  charges  of  having  passed 
abolitionist  literature.  He  was  acquitted — but  not  in  time  to  restore 
his  health.  Pardon's  one  remaining  son,  Hezekiah,  had  escaped  mis- 
fortune. 

In  February,  1838,  a  month  after  Reuben's  death,  Mr.  Crandall 
bought  some  Illinois  land  in  Troy  Grove  Township  from  Charles  W. 
Rockwell  and  came  to  look  it  over  in  April  of  that  year.  Apparently 
satisfied,  he  had  the  deed  recorded  in  Ottawa  on  May  14,  1838.  But 
by  July  of  the  same  year  he  had  returned  to  the  East  and  died — al- 
legedly of  malaria  contracted  in  Illinois.  On  the  day  of  his  funeral, 
Hezekiah's  wife  died,  following  the  birth  of  a  sixth  child. 

Three  years  later,  in  1841,  Hezekiah  came  out  to  Illinois  to  check 
on  the  land.    He  plowed  a  few  acres,  built  a  small  house  and  returned 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         395 


to  his  manufacturing  interests.  In  April  of  the  following  year,  Pru- 
dence (of  the  ill-fated  venture  in  negro  education)  arrived  on  the  Cran- 
dall  holding  to  stay.  With  her  was  Hezekiah's  eldest  son,  Obadiah, 
who  was  thirteen  years  old  at  the  time.  During  the  ensuing  years,  the 
active  farming  was  done  by  Obadiah  while  Hezekiah  offered  advice  by 
mail  ...  "I  hope  you  got  the  wheat  of  Turner  at  cash  price.  Look 
carefully  over  the  papers  &  letters  I  sent  and  the  Book  and  enquire 
of  Mr.  Kelcy  and  you  will  find  out  whether  you  had  to  pay  anything 
twice  over  .  .  .  Obadiah,  take  care  of  your  yokes  and  chains — get  the 
plow  in  to  Mr.  Root's  Barn  if  possible  to  prevent  rotting." 

In  1844,  Pardon's  widow,  Esther,  came  to  Illinois  to  make  her 
home  and  Hezekiah's  children  by  his  first  marriage,  as  they  became 
old  enough.  Reuben  arrived  in  1848  and  assisted  his  older  brother 
with  the  farming.  A  sister,  Esther,  also  came  in  the  '40's  and  married 
Joseph  Worsley.  Another  sister,  Huldah,  married  George  Webster, 
of  a  pioneer  family.  In  the  1860's,  both  Obadiah  and  Reuben  built 
brick  homes  on  the  land  originally  purchased  by  their  grandfather — 
about  four  miles  east  of  Mendota.    These  homes  are  still  standing. 


REV.  WILLIAM  EDWARDS 

better  known  as  Father  Edwards  by  all  who  knew  and  loved 
him,  the  Rev.  William  Edwards  came  to  the  United  States  in  1831 
and  settled  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

He  was  a  contractor  and  while  there  was  given  the  contract  to 
change  the  course  of  the  Potomac  river  and  make  the  Washington 
Basin.  This  required  three  years  and  was  considered  a  wonderful  feat 
of  engineering. 

In  1837,  he  came  to  Illinois  and,  in  1857,  he  and  Oliver  Gibber- 
son  started  a  hardware  store.  Later  he  and  his  son,  George  W.,  became 
partners.  The  store  was  then  located  on  Washington  St.,  in  the  build- 
ing next  to  the  present  Gish  Jewelry  store.  Later  George  W.  took  his 
son  George  B.  as  his  partner.  The  Edwards  Hardware  Store  is  now 
in  the  ownership  and  management  of  the  fourth  generation,  Marvin 
Edwards,  having  been  in  partnership  with  his  father,  George  B.,  until 
his  death. 

William  Edwards  studied  for  the  ministry  while  in  England  and 
had  the  honor  of  preaching  in  the  Westminster  Abbey  in  London.  He 
followed  that  calling  in  Mendota  and  Troy  Grove,  preaching  the  Gos- 
pel  in  several  churches  a  week  and  was  known  as  a  Circuit  Rider. 

He  helped  to  build  the  present  Methodist  church  and  was  its 
first  Sunday  School  Superintendent. 

He  married  Sarah  Hide  while  in  England,  and  she  became  heir 


396 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


to  the  famous  Hide  estate  worth  $85  million.  Two  of  her  brothers 
went  back  to  claim  this  fortune  and  fought  several  years  for  it.  They 
finally  won  the  case  but  died  before  they  could  get  passage  home. 
Father  Edwards  and  wife  Sarah  could  have  had  it  had  they  gone  after 
it  but  it  took  money  to  travel  and  so  all  the  fortune  is  still  over  there. 
Many  times  the  (now  thousands)  heirs  have  tried  to  prove  heirship 
but  with  no  success  ...  so  far. 

Three  generations  to  date  have  lived  to  celebrate  their  Golden 
Wedding:  William  and  Sarah  Hide  Edwards,  1831-1881;  George 
Washington  Edwards  and  Martha  McNett  Edwards,  1863-1913,  and 
George  Washington  Nisley  and  Mae  Edwards  Nisley,  1898-1948,  all 
celebrations  taking  place  on  5th  Ave.  within  two  blocks. 

The  great  grandchildren  living  here  or  near  are:  Burton,  Marvin 
and  John  Erie  Edwards,  Mrs.  J.  0.  (Gwendolyn  Edwards)  Heininger, 
Paul  Carroll,  and  Mrs.  Dave  (Hazelmae  Nisley)  Reese. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  GHEER 

george  Washington  gheer  was  born  November  25,  1816  in 
York,  Penn. 

At  the  age  of  13,  George,  and  his  family  crossed  the  Allegheny 
mountains  from  Virginia  in  a  covered  wagon  drawn  by  a  pair  of 
oxen.  The  trip  took  a  month  and  for  several  days  they  were  without 
food  and  the  entire  family  suffered  greatly.  They  settled  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  George  took  a  job  with  the  United  States  Mail  Service.  He 
carried  mail  on  horseback  from  New  Castle,  Pennsylvania,  to  Youngs- 
town,  Ohio.    He  married  Lucy  Miller. 

In  1844  the  family  again  moved  via  the  water  route  and  landed 
at  Peru,  Illinois.  George  purchased  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  wagon  and 
arrived  at  a  spot  where  Elman  Pohl  now  lives.  They  purchased  this 
ground  and  farmed  it  for  years,  in  fact,  George  farmed  during  his 
entire  life.  The  Gheer  Girls  could  remember  various  times  when  the 
friendly  Indian,  Chief  Shabbona,  would  stop  at  their  farm  to  pur- 
chase chickens  to  eat. 

Both  George  and  Mrs.  Gheer  are  buried  in  Restland  Cemetery. 

Descendants  living  in  this  vicinity  are  the  Prescott  brothers, 
children  of  the  late  Elmer  Blackwood,  and  Miss  Mabel  Smith  of 
Sodus,  N.  Y. 

REUBEN  HIRAM  WIXOM 

reuben  hiram  wixom  and  Clarissa  Walker  were  married  in 
1803  in  New  York  state,  moved  to  Franklin  Co.,  Ohio,  and  in  the 
1830's  to  Illinois.     They  went  first  to  Tazewell  county,  later  to  La- 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         397 


Salle  County.  They  had  nine  sons  and  three  daughters  —  but  some 
of  the  sons  didn't  come  to  Illinois.  Jesse,  Henry,  and  Chancy  lived 
not  far  from  Mendota.  One  daughter  Nancy  married  a  Mr.  Foster 
and  lived  in  Mendota  for  a  time,  then  moved  west,  and  finally  to  Hast- 
ings, Nebraska. 

Henry  and  Chancy  went  to  California,  overland  at  the  time  of 
the  "gold  rush".  Chancy  returned  part  of  the  way  by  ship,  travelled 
by  pack-train  over  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  and  continued  by  ship. 
Henry  came  home  later  by  sailing  around  "The  Horn".  Reuben 
Hiram  Wixom  and  Clarissa  are  buried  in  the  Dewey  burying  ground, 
northwest  of  Triumph  —  with  an  iron  fence  around  their  graves  and 
markers. 


OSCAR  D.  F.  CONKEY 

OSCAR  D.  F.  conkey  was  born  in  Martinsburg,  New  York  in  1821. 
In  1843  he  came  to  the  west  by  way  of  Milwaukee  and  spent  one  winter 
in  Milwaukee  and  two  summers  and  a  winter  in  Batavia,  Illinois.  He 
then  went  to  Massillon,  Ohio,  where  he  operated  a  line  of  boats  on  the 
canal  until  the  fall  of  1853. 

At  that  time  he  returned  to  the  west  on  a  prospecting  tour,  and, 
being  pleased  with  the  country  around  the  present  town  of  Mendota, 
decided  to  locate  here.  From  1857  until  1888  he  gave  his  entire  at- 
tention to  buying,  selling,  and  shipping  grain,  after  which  he  became 
engaged  in  the  coal  business.  The  Burlington  Railroad  was  then  in  the 
course  of  construction.  He  purchased  land  and  the  following  summer 
(1854)  he  brought  his  family  and  became  a  permanent  resident  of 
Mendota.  For  about  three  years  he  was  in  the  grain  and  general  mer- 
chandising business.  Then  he  became  interested  in  the  coal  business, 
which  his  son,  Harry,  carried  on.  This  business  expanded  into  the 
present  Conkey  enterprise  located  in  the  southwest  section  of  Mendota. 
Mr.  0.  D.  F.  Conkey  died  in  1914.  He  was  active  in  civic  life  and  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

GEORGE  E.  WILLS 

GEORGE  E.  wills  came  to  Mendota  from  Jackson  Co.,  Iowa,  in 
1855.  He  taught  school  in  the  winter  and  worked  on  farms  in  the 
summer.  He  assisted  James  Henderson  in  establishing  the  seminary 
on  Thirteenth  Avenue,  in  which  he  also  became  a  student.  In  1856 
he  took  up  farming  on  a  farm  west  of  the  limits  of  Mendota.  Later 
he  moved  to  a  farm  south  of  town.  He  served  as  president  and  director 
of  the  Mendota  Union  Fair  Association,  road  commissioner  for  twelve 


398 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


years  and  township  assessor  for  one  term.     Mr.  Chester  Wills  is  the 
grandson  of  Mr.  George  E.  Wills. 

FRANZ  MEISENBACH 

franz  meisenbach  was  a  tanner  and  currier  by  trade.  In  1853 
he  came  to  Mendota,  just  as  it  was  starting  into  existence,  on  the  com- 
pletion of  the  two  great  railroads  at  this  point.  He  was  therefore  a 
pioneer  and  one  of  the  fathers  of  the  city. 

On  his  arrival  here  Mr.  Meisenbach  opened  a  hotel  on  what  is 
now  Main  Street  and  boarded  the  railroad  men  employed  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  tracks.  Later  he  entered  mercantile  business  in  the 
line  of  groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  clothing,  dry  goods,  etc.;  for  a  short 
time  he  also  conducted  a  tannery.  He  had  meanwhile  great  ambition 
for  the  growth  of  the  town  and  did  much  to  enhance  the  value  of  prop- 
erty here.  He  established  the  first  German  newspaper  in  Mendota  and 
LaSalle  county  —  a  paper  by  the  name  of  Mendota  Democrat  which 
advocated  the  doctrines  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  He  continued  to  edit 
this  paper  until  his  death  February  16,  1889.  His  daughter,  Ellen,  was 
the  first  child  born  in  Mendota. 

GEORGE  HOLLAND 

George  Holland,  a  hardware  merchant  of  Mendota,  came  to 
Mendota  in  1856,  at  the  age  of  three  years.  His  father  worked  at  his 
trade  of  plasterer  and  mason.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  George  began  work 
as  a  clerk  in  the  hardware  store  of  Hodge  Brothers,  and  later  accepted 
a  clerkship  with  Curtis  and  Rude.  Mr.  Holland  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  city  clerk  in  1885  and  held  the  office  continuously  for  many  years. 
In  1897  he  became  sole  owner  of  the  hardware  store  located  on  Main 
Street  which  today  is  owned  and  managed  by  his  daughter,  Gertrude, 
and  her  husband,  James  Nuckley.     Mr.  Holland  died  in  1933. 

JOHN  FOULK 

JOHN  foulk,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1820,  came  to  Mendota  via 
covered  wagon  from  Dalton,  Ohio,  in  1856;  while  there  he  lived  among 
the  Wyandotte  Indians.  The  family  resided  in  Mendota  at  several  in- 
tervals but  were  chiefly  farmers.  Fellow  travellers  from  Ohio  fre- 
quented the  Foulk  residence  north  of  town  for  several  days  at  a  time, 
where  wild  turkey  and  mince  pie  were  the  main  bill  of  fare,  a  fore- 
runner of  house  parties. 

Mr.  Foulk  died  when  85,  and  his  two  children,  Mary  Foulk  Smith 
and  Frank,  long  residents  of  Mendota,  each  lived  to  be  93. 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         399 


THOMAS  IMUS 

the  venerable  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  came 
from  Vermont  to  Mendota  in  1856.  He  marked  the  town's  growth  from 
its  infancy.  At  the  time  he  arrived  it  had  only  one  store,  that  owned 
by  Guiles  and  Wells.  He  established  the  first  marble  shop  in  Mendota, 
and  continued  in  business  until  succeeded  by  his  son,  Newton,  who 
served  as  mayor  for  many  years.  Thomas  Imus  was  a  Whig,  later 
joining  the  Republican  party  when  it  was  organized.  He  was  a  be- 
liever in  the  abolition  of  slavery,  and  in  the  years  before  the  Civil  War 
was  a  "conductor"  of  the  "Underground  Railroad." 

ANTHONY  ERLENBORN 

anthony  erlenborn  was  born  in  1834  in  Koblenz,  Germany. 
He  migrated  to  the  United  States  in  1853  and  came  shortly  thereafter 
to  Mendota.  He  and  his  brother,  J.  M.,  started  the  Germania  Bank  in 
1874.  Anthony  died  in  1876.  Descendants  of  Anthony  Erlenborn  were 
the  late  Mrs.  Adam  Kliyla,  daughter,  and  Julius  0.  Kliyla,  (deceased) 
grandson. 

LUKE  GOODWIN 

LUKE  Goodwin,  native  of  Sheffield,  England,  came  to  America  in 
1851  to  establish  a  home  and  industry  in  the  "Land  of  Promise"  as 
America  was  known.  Landing  at  New  Orleans,  he  came  northward, 
finally  landing  at  Mendota.  When  he  was  established  in  business  and 
had  acquired  a  small  house  he  sent  for  his  wife  and  three  year  old 
daughter.  The  plant  proved  successful  and  most  of  the  brick  buildings 
here  were  furnished  with  brick  from  the  Goodwin  brick  yards,  located 
on  what  is  now  First  Street.  The  family  grew  so  that  in  time  a  larger 
house  was  needed;  a  brick  structure  which  still  stands  at  First  avenue 
just  east  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  viaduct.  The  entire  family  grew  to  manhood 
and  womanhood  in  this  home  and  with  one  exception  have  been  life- 
time citizens  of  the  hometown.  The  brick  house  is  seventy-nine  years 
old. 


PHILIP  ROGERS  FAMILY 

philip  ROGERS,  born  in  Cazenovia,  New  York  in  1803,  married 
Harriet  Howard  in  1822.  Together  they  migrated  via  covered  wagon 
both  to  Ohio  state  where  they  spent  several  years  and  to  their  prairie 
home  one  mile  east  of  Mendota  in  1839.  According  to  early  newspaper 
accounts  they  were  the  fourth  family  to  settle  in  Mendota  Township  and 


400 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Mrs.  Rogers  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  small  group  that  later 
grew  into  the  Mendota  Methodist  Church. 

At  the  age  of  28  Mr.  Rogers  died  of  cholera  in  LaSalle;  his  body 
being  consumed  by  the  quick  lime  method  used  to  prevent  disease 
spread. 

The  six  children,  B.  Stephen,  Burnum,  Patty  Ann,  Lewis,  Maria 
and  Walter  were  raised  by  the  widow  who  was  known  for  miles  around 
for  her  work  as  a  midwife. 

Only  two  children  left  descendants:  Stephen  married  Catherine 
Van  Patter  of  Elmira,  Canada,  in  1851,  and  fathered  Charles  Rogers, 
several  times  mayor  of  Mendota,  Harriett  Rogers  Minot,  Elsie  Rogers 
Nolan,  Edgar  Rogers,  and  Clara  Rogers  Stone.  Descendants  living  in 
this  vicinity  are  Clara  Nolan  Gilman  of  Sandwich,  Alfred  Nolan  and 
Ethel  Stone  Setchell  and  their  children  and  grandchildren. 

Walter  Rogers  married  Abbie  Resdon  in  1871,  their  children  being 
Mable  Rogers  Ludden,  Philip  Rogers,  Jack  Rogers,  Leslie  Rogers  and 
Lola  Rogers  Gross.  The  latter,  Leslie  Rogers,  his  three  sons  and  three 
daughters  and  their  children  also  reside  in  Mendota  community. 


SAMUEL  G.  DUDGEON 

SAMUEL  G.  dudgeon,  a  cousin  of  General  U.  S.  Grant,  passed  his 
boyhood  in  Moorefield,  Ohio,  learning  the  carpenter  trade.  He  arrived 
in  Mendota,  May  11,  1854,  having  walked  part  of  the  way  from  Ohio, 
liked  Mendota  and  decided  to  locate  here.  First  a  carpenter,  he  opened 
a  lumber  yard  in  1889.  He  later  became  a  builder  and  many  of  the 
business  blocks  and  houses  in  Mendota  were  built  by  him.  He  was 
elected  mayor  in  1890,  and  was  an  alderman  for  nine  years,  also  as- 
sessor and  collector.  He  died  in  1902  at  the  home  he  built  at  the  corner 
of  Jefferson  and  Indiana.    There  were  six  children. 


HENRY  OETTINGER 

henry  oettinger,  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Edgar  Koerper  and  Mrs. 
Robert  S.  Black,  came  to  Mendota  early  in  1852.  His  home  was  built 
on  the  lot  directly  west  of  the  Holy  Cross  Church.  The  land  on  which 
the  church  and  school  now  stand  was  a  swamp  and  was  used  by  Mr. 
Oettinger  for  raising  ducks  and  geese.  He  engaged  in  the  butchering 
business,  carrying  his  products  to  homes  by  means  of  a  two  wheeled 
push  cart.  Later  he  bought  a  horse  and  wagon,  making  that  part  of  his 
work  much  easier.  A  number  of  years  later  he  opened  a  meat  market 
in  the  town  section  where  he  remained  until  he  retired. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


401 


He  was  married  to  Babbette  Meyer,  a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine. 
To  them  were  born  a  son  and  daughter ;  the  son,  Henry  Oetttinger,  was 
a  jeweler  and  cabinet  maker  by  trade.  He  was  also  a  pianist  of  some 
note,  having  played  for  the  famous  team,  Julia  Marlowe  and  Ed. 
Southern  while  they  were  in  vaudeville. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edgar  Koerper  live  in  the  house,  part  of  which  was 
the  original  home. 

DEMAS  LINDLEY  HARRIS 

demas  lindley  Harris  was  born  in  1818  in  Tuscarawas  Township, 
Stark  County,  Ohio.  He  was  of  English  and  Scotch  ancestry,  his  ma- 
ternal grandmother  being  of  the  family  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  and  his 
grandfather  was  a  Jersey  Minute  Man  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  His 
father  settled  in  Stark  County,  when  Canton  had  only  three  or  four 
cabins  and  Massillon  was  an  impassable  swamp.  Mr.  Harris  married 
Anne  Louise  Eyles  of  Wadsworth,  Ohio,  in  1843,  and  they  had  five 
children  —  Viola  M.  Merrifield,  mother  of  Mrs.  E.  A.  Walker  and 
grandmother  of  Claire  Walker  of  Mendota,  111.;  Madison,  Frank,  Cora, 
and  Claire,  mother  of  Fred  Edgcomb  of  Daytona  Beach,  Fla.,  and  Dr. 
J.  H.  Edgcomb,  lately  of  Ottawa. 

Mr.  Harris  emigrated  overland  to  California  in  1850  in  a  covered 
wagon,  returning  by  water  and  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  in  1852,  cross- 
ing the  Isthmus  on  a  mule.  While  in  California  he  worked  the  Rough 
and  Ready  Mine  near  Sacramento  and  also  represented  Nevada  county 
at  the  first  State  Convention.  He  was  the  Whig  candidate  for  the 
legislature  the  year  that  California  became  a  state.  He  failed  by  12 
votes  of  an  election. 

He  bought  a  farm  eight  miles  north  of  Mendota,  LaSalle  county, 
Illinois  and  moved  there  in  1856.  He  built  a  granary  and  straw  barn 
and  sent  for  the  family.  They  lived  in  the  granary  until  they  could 
get  a  house  built.  The  family  resided  there  for  twenty  years.  John 
Hamilton  Harris,  an  older  brother  had  preceded  him  by  two  years  to 
Mendota;  a  brother-in-law,  R.  N.  Woods  and  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Harris', 
Mrs.  Juliette  Smith  and  their  families  had  followed  him. 

Mr.  Harris  held  various  township  offices,  being  Supervisor  for 
five  consecutive  years  in  Lee  county.  During  the  Civil  War  he  kept 
the  supplies  rushing  from  the  farms  to  the  front  for  the  army  and  in 
1862,  during  the  darkest  period  of  the  war,  he  was  in  Springfield 
representing  Lee  county  in  the  legislature.  After  the  demise  of  the 
Whig  Party  he  joined  the  new  Republican  Party  which  he  loyally 
served  as  long  as  he  lived. 

In   1876  he  and  the  family  moved   to  Mendota,  buying  the  old 


402 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Lawson  Scott  home  on  fifth  street  next  to  the  home  of  his  brother-in- 
law,  R.  N.  Woods.  His  wife's  niece,  Mrs.  Juliette  Smith  lived  next  door 
east  in  a  house  her  son  Will  had  built  for  her  and  there  the  three  fami- 
lies lived  until  their  deaths. 

Mr.  Harris  continued  to  be  interested  in  civic  affairs  as  long  as 
he  lived;  had  a  fine  library  for  his  day,  which  he  enjoyed  reading. 
He  was  alderman  of  Mendota  in  1881  and  on,  and  while  filling  that 
office  he  was  on  the  committee  in  charge  of  installing  the  Mendota 
Waterworks.  He  also  had  charge  of  the  sheep  when  Mendota  had  its 
first  Agricultural  Fair.  He  was  raised  a  Methodist  but  later  attended 
the  Baptist  church  with  his  family,  first  in  Sublette  and  then  in  Mendota. 
He  died  August  6,  1889,  at  the  age  of  81. 

JOSEPH  WORSLEY 

Joseph  worsley  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  in  1785,  the 
second  son  of  a  wealthy  family.  One  member  of  the  family  was  Lord 
Richard  Worsley;  one  palatial  residence  was  known  as  "Worsley  Hall". 
When  Joseph  was  19  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States  by 
sailing  vessel,  the  voyage  lasting  three  months.  He  landed  at  Baltimore, 
then  went  to  Washington,  D.C.  where  he  met  and  later  married  Mis9 
Suzannah  Wetzel,  the  daughter  of  a  rich  Virginia  planter  and  slave 
owner. 

They  came  to  Illinois,  and  purchased  a  farm  from  the  government 
in  1834.  This  farm  has  been  owned  by  Worsleys  into  the  fourth  gen- 
eration. Eight  children  were  born  to  them.  Joseph  died  at  the  age  of 
86. 


HARTLEY  J.  SETCHELL 

hartley  j.  setchell,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  east  of  Mendota, 
was  born  in  Warsboys,  Huntingdonshire,  England,  July  4,  1811.  He 
was  one  of  a  family  of  eleven  children.  He  and  two  brothers  started 
for  America  in  1832.  Cholera  broke  out  on  the  ship,  and  his  brothers 
died  and  were  buried  at  sea. 

He  carried  mail  on  the  Pony  Express  for  some  time;  then  met 
and  married  Amanda  Goddard  in  the  year  1844.  They  established  a 
home  on  the  land  he  purchased  from  the  government  where  they  raised 
a  family  of  eight  children.  There  are  now  nearly  100  direct  descend- 
ants of  this  family.  Their  first  home  was  cut  and  split  out  of  timber, 
put  together  with  wood  pins  in  place  of  nails.  They  lived  in  this  house 
until  1856,  then  built  a  stone  house  which  has  just  recently  been  cleared 
away.    Glenn  Setchell  has  built  a  modern  home  on  the  site. 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


403 


Mr.  Setchell,  being  of  a  progressive  and  inventive  mind,  had  one 
of  the  first  threshing  machines  and  power  wood  saws  in  the  community. 
The  saw  was  run  by  horse  power,  on  which,  at  times,  twelve  horses  were 
used;  also  a  saw  powered  by  wind  which  he  made  and  assembled, 
using  a  wagon  wheel  and  stove  pipe,  flattened,  and  fastened  to  the 
spokes.  When  the  wind  was  strong  enough,  it  turned  the  wheel  and 
cut  their  wood  for  heating  purposes. 

Messrs.  Earl,  Harry,  Mark,  Glenn,  Clifford,  and  Webster  (de- 
ceased), and  Mrs.  Fred  Rambeau  (Leila)  of  Ames,  Iowa,  are  grand- 
children of  this  venerated  gentleman. 


BENARON  BRIGGS 

both  benaron  briggs  and  Adelia  Goddard  were  born  in  Con- 
necticut and  each  came  as  young  pioneers  into  "the  west"  —  LaSalle 
County,  Illinois.  Adelia  Goddard's  father  was  the  village  blacksmith 
in  "Homer"  —  now  Troy  Grove,  Illinois.  Adelia  was  a  school  teacher. 
The  young  people  became  acquainted  here,  and  later  were  married. 
They  bought  a  farm  located  four  miles  southeast  of  Mendota,  lived  and 
died  there. 

Five  children  were  born  to  them;  two  died  at  a  very  early  age. 
The  other  three  all  became  teachers.  The  eldest,  Ellen,  became  the 
wife  of  Frederick  Wetzel  Worsley  II. 

The  Briggs  family  originally  came  from  Salle,  England.  Clement 
Briggs  joined  the  Plymouth  Colony.  The  Briggs  history  includes  the 
fact  that  Benaron's  three  uncles,  William,  Isaac  and  Clement  Briggs 
were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Clement  Briggs  was  an  officer 
in  George  Washington's  guard. 

WILLIAM  TRUMAN 

MR.  and  MRS.  William  truman  (Mary  Taylor),  both  born  in 
Lincolnshire,  England,  located  in  LaSalle  in  1852.  Mr.  Truman  learned 
the  baker  and  confectioner  trade  and  devoted  his  time  to  this  calling 
for  many  years.  They  moved  to  Mendota  in  1855,  establishing  a 
bakery  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  East  Side  Cafe  on  Sixth 
Street. 

Mr.  Truman  purchased  300  acres  of  land  north  of  Mendota  and 
made  a  specialty  of  raising  shorthorn  cattle.  Forty  acres  he  sold  at 
$300.00  an  acre  later  became  known  as  the  "railroad  pond",  now 
Lake  Mendota. 

Seven  children  were  born  to  this  union.  One  son,  William  R. 
Truman    married    Miss    Bertha    Boslough.      Their   children    are   Mrs. 


404 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Burton  Edwards  (Greta),  Mrs.  Tracy  Tower  (Theo)  and  William 
Truman,  Jr. 

Youngest  daughter,  Mrs.  R.  N.  Crawford  (Mary  E.),  has  three 
children,  Mrs.  Mary  Crawford  Hunter,  R.  N.  Crawford,  Jr.,  and  Mrs. 
W.  F.  James  (Esther). 

Mr.  Truman  passed  away  in  1899  and  Mrs.  Truman  in  1913. 

CHARLES  CRAWFORD 

MR.  and  MRS.  charles  Crawford  (Mary  A.  Liscom),  the  former 
a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  the  latter  from  Vermont,  were  married 
in  Vermont  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1849,  settling  in  Bureau  County 
where  they  engaged  in  farming.  They  remained  in  that  locality  for 
20  years  and  then  moved  to  LaSalle  County,  a  short  distance  west  of 
Mendota,  where  they  continued  to  live.  Mr.  Crawford  passed  away  in 
1877. 

Robert  N.  Crawford,  the  youngest  of  seven  children,  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  E.  Truman,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Truman, 
in  1892.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children,  Mrs.  Mary  Crawford 
Hunter,  Robert  N.  Crawford,  Jr.  and  Mrs.  W.  F.  James  (Esther). 
Mrs.  Charles  Crawford  passed  away  February  10,  1905  at  age  of  80 
years.  Other  children,  Charles  H.  Crawford,  Mrs.  James  Moore 
(Susan),  Mrs.  E.  H.  Gheer  (Georgia)  all  deceased. 

REV.  DAVID  HARBAUGH 

rev.  david  harbaugh  was  born  in  Waynesboro,  Pa. ;  was  ordained 
a  Lutheran  minister  at  Wittenberg  Synod  in  1851.  While  serving  a 
pastorate  in  Dixon,  Illinois,  he  organized  and  was  connected  with 
Mendota  College  at  Mendota,  Illinois,  for  thirteen  years.  He  married 
Margaret  Augustine  in  1849,  and  later  moved  to  Mendota,  where  eight 
of  his  12  children  were  born.  The  "Harbaugh"  addition  to  Mendota, 
west  of  the  Township  High  School,  bears  his  name. 

JOHN  HAMILTON  HARRIS 

JOHN  Hamilton  Harris  was  born  in  Amesville  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania August  19,  1807.  In  1809  he  emigrated  with  his  father's  family 
to  the  "New  Purchase"  in  Ohio  where  they  cleared  a  farm  in  the 
wilderness.  While  a  young  man  he  entered  the  law  office  of  his 
uncle,  Judge  John  Harris,  of  Canton,  Ohio,  and  in  1829  was  licensed 
as  an  attorney. 

He  married  Harriet  Fogle  of  Canton;  in  1854  the  family  moved 
to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm  on  the  ridge,  two  and  one-half  miles 
north  of  Mendota  on  the  Cemetery  road. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


405 


While  still  farming  he  opened  a  law  office  in  Mendota,  driving 
to  town  and  bringing  his  two  older  daughters  to  Lutheran  College. 

In  1863,  the  family  moved  to  Mendota  where  he  held  many  city 
and  county  offices.  Mr.  Harris  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church, 
a  Knight  Templar  in  Masonry,  and  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  signed 
the  Washingtonian  pledge  against  the  use  of  liquors  and  tobacco. 

His  two  older  daughters  died  of  typhoid,  leaving  only  the  young- 
est, Mary,  who  married  Collins  Harbaugh.  Mr.  Harris  died  in  1894; 
his  wife,  who  was  blind  for  fifteen  years,  died  in  1895,  in  the  home 
of  Collins  and  Mary  Harbaugh,  at  the  corner  of  Ninth  street  and  Fifth 
avenue  where  their  daughter,  Fredericka  A.,  now  lives. 

MR.  AND  MRS.  BENTON  PARKS 

one  OF  the  early  families  of  Mendota  was  the  Parks  family, 
grandparents  of  Frank  Parks.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benton  Parks  lived  in 
the  north  end  of  Mendota,  the  property  now  known  as  the  "Y",  and 
ran  a  boarding  house  when  the  C.B.&Q.  railroad  was  built  through 
Mendota.  Mr.  Parks  and  son,  James,  ran  a  draying  business.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Parks  had  four  children,  Mrs.  Sam  (Mary)  Dudgeon,  Sr. ; 
Mrs.  Fronie  Harding;  Mrs.  Homer  (Jennie)  Munson  and  James  Parks. 
Mr.  Benton  Parks  died  in  1880. 

JOHN  E.  MILLER 

john  e.  miller  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1826  and  came  to 
Mendota  in  1851.  He  bought  a  180  acre  farm  in  Clarion  Township 
from  the  government,  paying  five  dollars  an  acre  for  it.  In  1864  he 
bought  a  farm  two  miles  west  of  Mendota,  which  has  been  the  family 
home  ever  since.  Mr.  Miller  married  Elmina  Ballou,  whose  ancestors 
came  to  America  in  1646.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  had  three  sons,  all 
deceased.  Mrs.  Miller  died  in  1897  and  Mr.  Miller  in  1902.  After 
his  death  his  son  Dana  and  family  lived  on  the  home  place  until  his 
death  in  1931.    Mrs.  Miller  and  daughter  Edith  still  reside  there. 

SYLVESTER  WALKER 

AN  EARLY  resident  of  Mendota  was  Sylvester  Walker,  born  in 
Wilton,  Maine,  March  21,  1826,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eleven 
children. 

In  1856,  at  the  age  of  30,  he  moved  with  his  wife  to  Earlville,  and, 
after  residing  there  a  short  time,  came  to  Mendota.  For  16  years  they 
made  their  home  in  the  north  section  of  the  city,  Mr.  Walker  working 
as  a  carpenter.  Later  he  farmed  near  Meriden  for  a  number  of  years 
and  after  46  years  absence  returned  to  his  birthplace  in  Maine. 


406 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


While  he  was  living  in  Mendota,  his  nephew,  Joseph,  came  from 
his  home  in  East  Wilton,  Maine,  and  obtained  employment  working 
on  farms  in  this  vicinity.  He  married  Abbie  Ballord,  whose  family 
had  come  to  Illinois  from  Massachusetts;  to  this  union  were  born  four 
children,  two  of  whom  still  reside  in  Mendota:  E.  A.  Walker,  and 
Grace,  now  Mrs.  Archie  Spenader.  A  brother  of  these  two,  Harry  B. 
Walker,  resides  in  Vancouver,  Washington. 

DR.  W.  J.  COOK 

DR.  w.  J.  cook  came  to  Mendota  in  1854  from  Virginia  because 
of  his  objection  to  slavery,  and  was  joined  shortly  thereafter  by  his 
son,  Edgar  Pumphrey  Cook,  who  practiced  medicine  in  Mendota  50 
years.  He  had  three  sons:  William,  who  was  a  florist  in  Mendota 
for  many  years;  David,  a  lawyer,  postmaster,  and  alderman  who  was 
interested  in  civic  affairs,  but  later  he  moved  to  Ottawa;  and  John, 
who  died  from  wounds  incurred  during  the  Civil  War. 

HENRY  H.  EBY 

henry  H.  eby  was  born  in  Lebanon  County,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 8,  1841.  In  1850  his  father,  mother,  four  sisters  and  Henry 
started  for  Illinois  and  after  an  eventful  trip  of  about  six  weeks,  reached 
Mendota  and  settled  on  a  farm  east  of  the  future  city. 

On  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  the  three-months 
service  in  the  Twelfth  Illinois  Infantry. 

After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  he  re-enlisted  in 
Company  C,  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  participated  in  a  number 
of  severe  engagements,  including  Stone  River  and  Chickamauga,  serv- 
ing as  orderly  for  General  John  M.  Palmer.  He  was  taken  prisoner, 
having  entered  the  Confederate  lines  by  mistake.  Mr.  Eby  was  in  active 
service  three  years  and  five  months,  except  while  a  prisoner.  A  book 
by  Mr.  Eby,  relating  his  war  experiences,  is  in  the  Public  Library. 

FREDERICK  AND  MARGARET  BEETZ 

Frederick  and  Margaret  beetz  immigrated  from  Germany  to 
New  York  City  in  1838;  in  1846  they  moved  to  Chicago.  Frederick 
Beetz  walked  from  Chicago  to  Perkins  Grove  on  a  tour  of  investigation 
to  learn  first  hand  what  the  situation  was;  finding  it  good,  he  brought 
his  family  with  him  by  stagecoach  in  1846. 

The  first  winter  they  lived  in  a  deserted  sheep  barn  built  of  logs. 
In  1849,  Frederick  Beetz  bought  a  few  acres  of  land  and  built  his  own 
log  house.    A  son,  George,  was  born  to  them  in  1852.     In  1870,  they 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


407 


removed  to  the  farm  north  of  Mendota  which  is  owned  by  Daniel  G. 
Beetz.  Samuel,  Ezra,  Daniel  Beetz  and  Ivie  (Mrs.  Albert  Ultch) 
and  Myrtle  (Mrs.  Roy  Yenerich,  deceased),  are  the  children  of  George 
Beetz. 

SIMPSON  CLARK 

Simpson  clark  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1806  and  came 
to  Mendota  with  his  wife  and  daughter,  Mathilda,  in  1854.  He  was 
employed  at  railroad  building.  They  resided  in  Mendota  for  nine 
years  and  then  took  up  farming  in  Troy  Grove.  Thirty  years  later 
he  retired  and  moved  back  to  Mendota.  Mr.  Clark  united  with  the 
Baptist  Church.  He  was  a  leader  in  civic  affairs  and  served  as  con- 
stable and  deputy  sheriff  in  LaSalle  County  before  he  moved  to  Troy 
Grove. 

EDWIN  A.  BOWEN 

EDWIN  A.  BOWEN  moved  to  Perkins  Grove  with  his  parents  when  he 
was  a  child  of  three,  in  about  1845.  He  entered  the  civil  war  a  captain 
and  was  promoted  to  colonel,  returning  to  Mendota  in  1865  to  become 
president  of  the  newly  organized  First  National  bank. 

Col.  Bowen  owned  a  small  gold  mine  in  Colorado  from  1858  to 
1861  which  proved  very  successful.  The  Bowens  had  one  of  the  most 
beautifully  furnished  homes  in  Mendota,  and  their  crystal  chandeliers 
are  still  a  topic  of  conversation  for  those  who  remember.  He  was  a 
familiar  figure,  being  driven  to  and  from  his  work  in  a  fawn-colored 
carriage,  complete  with  fringe,  drawn  by  a  fine  span  of  horses,  by  old 
colored  Amos  Miller,  a  freed  slave.  He  is  remembered  as  a  very  reli- 
gious, stern  but  just  family  man,  and  a  more  than  liberal  donor  to  the 
Baptist  church. 

R.  N.  WOODS 

R.  N.  woods,  according  to  a  colorful  account  by  his  daughter, 
Mary  R.  Woods  Lawrence,  left  his  home  in  northern  Ohio  and  set  out 
in  1857  to  migrate  to  the  vicinity  of  Mendota.  He  bought  a  farm  about 
nine  miles  north  of  Mendota  and  later  moved  with  his  family  into  town. 

His  glowing  letters  to  his  family  back  home  described  the  beautiful 
rolling  prairies  but  never  mentioned  the  lack  of  trees,  fierce  winds,  or 
lack  of  roads.  A  gimlet  hole  bored  through  the  siding  of  their  home 
provided  an  opportunity  of  apprehending  the  identity  of  a  caller,  who 
might  be  a  friendly  Indian  or  a  timely  peddler.  The  home  was  lighted 
by  tallow  candles,  which  they  made  themselves.     They  sheared  their 


408 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


sheep  and  carded  and  spun  the  wool,  woven  into  cloth  and  blankets 
at  the  Dayton  woolen  mill. 

Mr.  Woods  and  Lindley  Harris  were  prime  movers  in  laying  out 
and  building  roads,  which  many  farmers  vehemently  opposed  at  the 
time.  Their  herd  of  30  cattle  was  driven  three  miles  to  Melugin's 
Grove  milldam,  twice  weekly,  for  water.  The  land  was  fenceless  and 
was  common  grazing  land.  Later  the  Woods  and  Harris  children 
attended  school  in  Mendota,  boarding  themselves  with  Mrs.  Phileo,  a 
remarkable  woman  who  in  her  younger  days  was  a  co-worker  of 
William  Lloyd  Garrison,  the  abolitionist. 

A  sister  of  Mrs.  Lawrence,  Villie  Woods,  was  principal  of  the 
Mendota  East  Side  school.  The  family  moved  to  Mendota  in  1870, 
living  in  the  home  now  occupied  by  John  Woods. 

JOHN  C.  MADDEN 

JOHN  c.  madden  came  to  Mendota  in  1853.  He  was  born  in 
Bandon,  County  Cork,  Ireland  in  1830,  and  lived  in  Tauton,  Mass.  as 
a  child.  He  farmed  four  miles  north  of  Mendota  until  1858  when  he 
became  a  partner  of  his  brother-in-law,  Peter  Donohue,  establishing 
the  foundry  and  machine  shop  of  Donohue  &  Madden. 

John  C.  Madden  was  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Dan  C.  Haskell, 
Mrs.  John  Gallagher,  and  Miss  Mabel  Madden,  and  the  great-grand- 
father of  Mrs.  Paul  K.  Jacob,  all  of  Mendota. 

Peter  Donohue,  his  partner,  was  the  grandfather  of  Miss  Patricia 
Donohue,  Peter  J.  Donohue  and  Mrs.  James  Caveglia,  all  of  Mendota. 


NATHAN  DENISON 

Nathan  denison  came  to  Mendota  in  the  early  summer  of  1854. 
He  was  favorably  impressed  with  the  situation  of  the  village  and  the 
surrounding  farm  lands  and  saw  the  great  need  of  a  place  of  worship  — 
there  was  no  church.  He  had  been  a  farmer  before  he  married  Silence 
Stoddard  in  Sutton,  Vermont  and  did  not  study  for  the  ministry  for 
several  years.  He  returned  to  Skaneateles,  New  York  and  resigned  as 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  there  and,  with  his  family,  came  to 
Mendota  to  make  his  future  home. 

He  died  shortly  after  organizing  a  church.  There  was  no  cemetery 
here,  so  he  was  buried  in  LaMoille  but  as  soon  as  one  was  started  here 
his  body  was  brought  back.  His  tombstone  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
Restland  —  a  pulpit  with  Bible  and  hymn  book. 

The  two  older  daughters,  Adeline  and  Eliza  taught  in  the  first 
school. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


409 


Oscar  Denison,  the  oldest  son,  bought  the  farm  next  to  the  A.  C. 
Mclntire  farm.  He  married  Margaret  Blair  of  Hardwick,  Vermont, 
and  they  lived  on  that  farm  until  after  their  sixth  son  was  born,  then 
moved  to  Oakland,  California.  J.  C.  moved  to  Chicago  and  became 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Union  Stock  &  Transfer  Co.  (old  stock 
yards),  Henry  and  Nathan  went  into  business  in  Elgin,  Mary  married 
Frank  Lousley  of  Mendota,  and  after  his  death  became  editor  and 
publisher  of  the  Englewood  Eye.  Of  the  nine  children  George  S.  was 
the  only  one  who  remained  in  Mendota.  Frank,  the  youngest  child, 
is  still  living  in  Milton,  Oregon,  and  will  be  101  years  old  August  17, 
1953. 


CLARK  LAMB 

clark  lamb  came  to  Mendota  in  1856  from  Hardwick,  Vermont 
and  farmed  the  land  across  the  road  from  the  Oscar  Denison  farm  — 
now  the  Beiser  farm.  He  married  Eliza  Denison.  They  had  five 
children.  In  those  days  the  winters  were  very  severe  and  the  snow 
very  deep  and  roads  completely  covered  so  they  drove  to  town  in  a 
direct  line,  making  their  own  road  passing  over  fences.  The  Lamb 
family  moved  to  Red  Oak,  Iowa. 

E.  B.  CARPENTER 

E.  B.  carpenter,  with  his  wife,  Tabitha,  and  children,  Caroline, 
Edwin,  and  Harriet,  came  to  Illinois  in  1858.  As  they  came  for  his 
health,  they  settled  in  the  country  near  LaMoille  for  a  time  and  later 
moved  to  Mendota.  He  was  one  of  the  early  manufacturers  of  organs 
in  America.  He  organized  the  Carpenter  Organ  Company  in  Mendota 
and  built  the  factory  on  the  corner  of  Eleventh  and  Sixth  Street.  He 
also  built  the  home  on  Sixth  Street  in  1868.  After  he  sold  his  share  in 
the  factory  he  moved  back  to  Brattleboro,  Vermont. 

PETER  KONEN 

BORN  in  1815  AT  ernsdorf,  Luxemburg,  he  helped  lay  track  when 
the  Illinois  Central  was  built,  and  stayed  at  Mendota  as  section  foreman. 
His  first  home  was  the  second  house  built  in  Mendota.  The  house  was 
originally  on  lower  Sixth  Ave.  near  St.  Mary's  Church,  but  was  later 
moved  to  707  Sixth  Ave.,  where  it  remained  until  1922  when  it  was 
replaced  by  the  present  house.  He  died  in  1892,  leaving  six  children: 
Mary  (Mrs.  A.  P.  Wise),  Margaret  (Mrs.  Ziebarth),  Elizabeth  (Mrs. 
Etienne  Pink),  Josephine   (Mrs.  Feltes),  Frank,  and  Nickolas. 


410 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


GEORGE  W.  RHEA 

GEORGE  W.  rhea  was  born  in  1812  near  Clarion,  Pennsylvania.  He 
worked  on  the  Erie  Canal.  When  the  Illinois-Michigan  Canal  opened 
up,  he  came  to  Utica  in  1844.  He  operated  a  canal  barge  for  a  couple 
of  years,  then  bought  a  farm  northeast  of  Mendota.  He  married  Mattie 
Lamb  (1836-1873)  of  Hagerstown,  Maryland.  When  the  Civil  War 
began,  he  enlisted  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  and  when  the  war  ended 
was  in  a  Southern  prison  camp.     Rhea  died  in  1898. 

They  had  five  children:  Ethel,  who  died  in  infancy,  Estella  (Mrs. 
Otto  Foerster,  Euphemia  (Prema)  Mrs.  John  Crawford,  Robert,  and 
Samuel  L. 

ETIENNE  PINK 

etienne  pink  was  born  March  5,  1835,  at  Bonart,  Belgium.  He 
spent  several  years  in  school  in  Paris.  When  the  Belgian  colony  settled 
near  La  Salle,  he  came  to  visit  friends.  He  began  farming  near  Peters- 
town  in  1857,  and  married  Elizabeth  Konen  in  1862.  They  had  thirteen 
children.  Only  three  lived  to  maturity.  Mary  (Mrs.  Bernard  Pink), 
Margarett  (Mrs.  Samuel  L.  Rhea),  and  Frank.  Later  he  moved  to 
Mendota  and  lived  at  the  corner  of  Second  Street  and  Eighth  Avenue. 
He  bought  hides  and  tallow.  He  made  soap  and  candles.  He  was 
elected  city  assessor  several  times.  He  died  November  6,  1911.  His 
wife  died  February  3,  1918. 

JACOB  FRITZ 

jacob  fritz,  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  was  born  in  Germany, 
June  5,  1824.  He  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  his  native  country, 
and  for  15  years  worked  as  a  journeyman.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1853  and,  after  several  years  in  Michigan,  located  in  Mendota 
in  April  1857.  Here  he  continued  in  the  shoe  business  which  was  later 
carried  on  by  his  son,  Gustave.  Jacob  Fritz  was  also  the  father  of 
Frank  Fritz,  a  prominent  Mendota  druggist. 

ABRAM  ANDRESS 

abram  andress  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1801,  and  brought 
his  family  to  Mendota  Township  in  1850.  He  purchased  520  acres  of 
land,  and  when  the  city  of  Mendota  was  laid  out  sold  320  acres.  One 
of  his  sons,  Charles,  was  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  during  the  Civil  War 
and  had  command  of  the  regiment  on   Sherman's  march  to  the  sea. 

Another  son,  Dorsey  C.  Andress,  also  served  the  entire  period  of 
the  Civil  War.     He  participated  in  thirty-one  battles,  beginning  with 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


411 


Shiloh  and  ending  with  Bentonville,  N.  C.  He  returned  to  Mendota, 
entered  business  with  his  father,  farmed  for  four  years,  and  then 
engaged  in  the  coal  business.  In  1883,  Dorsey  Andress  was  appointed 
postmaster.  He  was  Collector  of  Mendota  Township  for  four  years, 
and  gave  one-half  of  his  commissions  which  built  the  plank  walk  from 
the  city  to  the  cemetery. 


PHILO  CASTLE 

philo  castle  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1818.  He  completed  his 
education  at  Sherburne  Falls,  Mass.,  and  taught  several  winter  terms 
of  school.  In  the  spring  of  1854,  he  bought  land  in  Mendota  Township 
—  later  renting  34  acres  to  Mendota  to  be  used  as  a  Fair  Grounds. 
Besides  his  farming  interests  he  sold  agricultural  implements,  served  as 
alderman  several  years,  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  twenty  years,  director 
of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  secretary  of  the  Farmers'  Insurance 
Company.  The  fourth  generation  of  the  Castle  family  is  living  on  the 
original  farm  of  Philo  Castle.     It  is  located  north  of  the  Fair  Grounds. 

PHINEAS  B.  RUST 

phineas  B.  rust,  jr.  came  from  Ohio  via  the  Ohio,  Mississippi, 
and  Illinois  Rivers  to  Peru  in  1835.  He  took  up  some  land  near  the 
present  site  of  LaMoille,  on  which  he  lived  until  1853  when  the  railroad 
was  completed  to  Mendota.  Thinking  it  a  good  site  for  a  flourishing 
town,  Mr.  Rust  left  the  farm  and  located  here.  He  built  the  first  brick 
building  in  Mendota  known  as  the  Rust  Block  which  today  is  at  the 
corner  of  Washington  Street  and  Illinois  Avenue. 

Phineas  served  almost  three  years  as  a  captain  in  the  Civil  War. 
After  his  discharge  he  settled  in  Kansas. 

Israel  Rust,  brother  of  Phineas,  came  to  Mendota  in  1855  and 
worked  with  his  brother  in  the  land  office  for  several  years.  In  1858, 
he  settled  on  a  tract  of  railroad  land  which  he  improved  and  made  a 
valuable  farm.  He  retired  from  the  farm  in  1875  and  built  a  residence 
in  the  north  part  of  town  —  today  called  Rust's  Addition. 


GABRIEL  POHL 

Gabriel  pohl,  born  in  Saxe  Coburg,  Germany,  July  15,  1825, 
came  to  Mendota  from  Clarion  Township  in  1853.  He  built  a  resi- 
dence at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Jefferson  Streets,  and  in  it,  for  some 
time,  kept  a  small  grocery  store.  Later  he  kept  a  boarding  house  in 
his  home.    In  1868,  he  erected  a  large  brick  building  on  the  site  at  the 


412 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


cost  of  $14,000.  In  this  building  the  post  office  was  kept  eleven  years. 
Mr.  Pohl  opened  the  first  livery  stable  in  Mendota  in  1857.  In  addition 
to  his  valuable  city  property  he  owned  a  pleasant  home  of  ten  acres  on 
the  east  side  of  the  city.  Third  generation  descendants  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pohl  living  in  Mendota  are  Gabriel  and  Karl  Pohl. 

BENJAMIN  MOSS 

benjamin  MOSS,  horticulturist,  was  born  in  Essex  County, 
England,  in  1833.  In  his  youth,  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  harness- 
maker's  trade.  That  was  too  confining  so  he  took  up  piano  making 
for  about  five  or  six  years.  In  1856,  he  and  Mrs.  Moss  came  to  the 
United  States,  and  after  several  weeks  in  Rockford  came  to  Mendota 
to  make  their  home.  He  owned  three  acres  of  land  and  worked  three 
more,  raising  small  fruits,  flowers  and  vegetables. 

He  had  two  greenhouses,  one  12x32  feet  and  the  other  16x32  feet 
in  size.  These  probably  were  the  first  greenhouses  in  Mendota. 
Descendants  of  Mr.  Moss  now  living  in  Mendota  are  Robert  and  Wil- 
liam Moss  and  George  Moore. 

DANIEL  D.  GUILES 

daniel  D.  GUILES,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Mendota,  was  born 
in  Saratoga,  New  York,  November  3,  1809.  He  was  married  to  Eliza 
Ann  Piatt,  and  came  to  Sterling  in  1837.  There  he  opened  the  first 
hotel  in  the  town.  In  1853  he  came  to  Mendota  and  built  the  first 
structure  of  any  kind  on  the  town  plat.  This  was  designed  for  a  store, 
and  was  one  story  in  height,  20x30  feet  in  dimensions.  The  site  was 
on  Main  Street. 

He  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  under  the  firm  name 
of  Guiles  &  Wells,  putting  in  the  first  stock  of  goods  in  Mendota.  They 
also  took  a  contract  to  build  three  and  a  half  miles  of  the  Burlington 
road  east  from  Mendota  station.  Mr.  Guiles  took  up  farming  near 
Mendota  in  1859,  and  remained  on  the  farm  for  eight  or  nine  years. 
Then  he  returned  to  Mendota  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  Guiles 
Avenue  in  the  north  part  of  Mendota  is  named  in  honor  of  this  pioneer. 

GEORGE  HENRY  YENERICH 

George  henry  yenerich  I,  born  1821,  in  Darmstadt,  Germany, 
served  seven  years  as  a  lance  corporal  and  was  discharged  in  1848. 
Passport  was  issued  in  1854  for  himself,  his  wife  (Mary  Beiser),  sons 
George  II,  and  William,  who  died  and  was  buried  at  sea.  He  entered 
the  port  of  New  York  with  two  dollars.     At  sight  of  his  adopted  land, 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


413 


he  said,  "I  thank  Thee,  God,  I'll  always  be  a  good  citizen"  —  and 
he  was.  Born  in  the  states  were  Phillip  John,  near  Buffalo,  New  York 
and  Wallace  C.  near  LaMoille,  Illinois. 

He  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  Four  Mile  Grove  cemetery.  The 
Yenerich  roll  lists  98  descendants,  who  entered  the  various  professions 
—  many  were  farmers.  They  served  their  country  in  three  wars  — 
one  fell  a  bombardier  in  Germany. 

REV.  JAMES  S.  HENDERSON 

REV.  JAMES  S.  Henderson  was  born  near  Carlisle,  Pa.,  in  1813. 
He  planned  to  enter  the  ministry.  After  attending  Canonsburgh  College, 
he  entered  the  mercantile  business,  because  of  failing  health.  When 
his  health  was  restored,  he  finished  his  work  at  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary, in  Allegheny  City,  Pa.  He  was  called  to  a  charge  in  Pennsylvania 
where  he  built  up  the  church  and  school.  In  October,  1855,  he  located 
in  Mendota. 

The  next  year,  1856,  he  started  to  erect  a  seminary  on  Thirteenth 
Avenue  (the  three  story  property  south  of  Prescott's  Service  Station). 
The  school  flourished  for  several  years,  when  sickness  entered  the 
school  and  several  died,  including  the  Reverend  Henderson  (1861). 
He  organized  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Mendota  and  a  church  in 
Homer,  Troy  Grove  Township. 

DON  BOWER 

DON  BOWER  lived  one  block  directly  east  of  Lincoln  School  for 
many  years  before  he  died  in  1951  when  he  was  101  years  old.  His 
mind  was  as  clear  as  crystal. 

His  people  originally  came  from  Scotland.  Their  name  changed 
slightly  from  the  original  to  present  Bower.  He  was  of  the  same  family 
as  the  present  Queen  of  England  whose  people  originally  came  from 
Scotland. 

His  people  came  from  Wilson,  New  York  which  is  located  on 
the  shore  of  Lake  Ontario.  They  built  a  home,  now  located  one  mile 
south  and  one  mile  east  of  Meriden. 

The  Bowers  cut  wild  hay  that  grew  on  top  of  the  knolls.  They 
cut  the  blue  joint  there,  and  it  was  very  palatable.  About  1853  the 
Bowers  built  a  house  with  prairie  hay.  First  they  put  up  the  rails  and 
packed  hay  against  the  sides.  They  put  coarse  hay  on  the  roof.  It 
had  only  one  room.  His  mother  said  she  "never  wintered  warmer". 
The  next  spring  1854  his  father  built  a  prairie  shanty  and  a  one  steaded 
bed  with  only  one  leg.    Five  or  six  children  would  sleep  in  it. 


414 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Mr.  Bower  said  that  they  planted  corn  by  dropping  corn  by  hand 
all  over  a  field  marked  off  by  a  team.  He  was  paid  25  cents  a  day  for 
dropping  corn.    He  broadcast  wheat  by  hand. 

LAWSON  SCOTT 

LAWSON  SCOTT  migrated  from  Ohio  to  Mendota  in  1856,  having 
brought  farm  horses  to  this  area  for  breaking  up  the  rich  but  tough 
prairie  land.  No  oxen  were  used  for  this  purpose.  He  married  Mary 
Belle  Barnahan,  of  Cadiz,  Ohio,  and  the  newlyweds  lived  at  first  in 
the  Passenger  House,  later  in  a  cottage  on  Fifth  street  just  east  of 
Thirteenth  avenue.    Later  they  moved  eastward  on  the  same  street. 

Of  the  five  children  born,  one  was  Lee  C.  Scott,  who  now  lives 
in  Los  Angeles.  Aged  88,  he  has  written  delightfully  of  early  happen- 
ings in  Mendota,  including  the  Indian  trails  and  of  his  neighbor, 
George  Jacks,  who  fought  with  General  Custer  in  the  Indian  wars. 
His  father  carried  on  a  thriving  farm  machinery  business  here  and 
remembers  the  years  the  children  used  as  a  playhouse  an  old  hearse 
which  his  father  bought  and  set  up  in  the  backyard. 

He  tells  of  skating  on  "Dickie  Peart' s  pond"  and  of  his  work  in 
Harbaugh's  grocery  store,  and  later  for  the  Burlington  railroad.  One 
day  Paul  Morton,  assistant  general  freight  agent  for  the  Burlington 
and  later  secretary  of  the  navy  under  President  Theodore  Roosevelt, 
stepped  off  the  train  in  Mendota  and  asked  if  they  had  a  boy  who  wrote 
a  good  hand. 

Lee  Scott  was  recommended,  and  given  a  pass  to  Chicago  where 
he  worked  in  the  Burlington  offices  for  many  years,  writing  tariff 
sheets  so  clearly  and  so  regularly  that  his  writing  was  often  likened  to 
engraved  letters.  His  letters  to  your  historians,  written  at  age  88,  still 
reflect  beautiful  handwriting.  Many  of  his  recollections  appear  in 
other  parts  of  this  history. 

THE  DANIEL  FAHLER  FAMILY 

Daniel  fahler  and  his  family  migrated  from  Lebanon  County, 
Pennsylvania,  to  a  farm  located  between  Homer  (Troy  Grove)  and 
Mendota  in  1849.  They  came  by  canal  boat  to  the  Alleghany  mountains 
where  the  boat  was  taken  apart  and  hauled  over  the  mountains.  When 
they  reached  the  Ohio  River,  it  was  put  together  again  for  their  journey 
down  the  Ohio  to  Cairo,  Illinois.  From  there,  the  Fahler  family  made 
their  way  up  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers  to  Peru.  An  ox  team 
took  them  the  last  miles  to  Homer. 

Mr.  Fahler  remembered  when  land  north  of  Homer  sold  for  $2.50 
an  acre.    The  Indians  used  one  place  on  his  farm  for  shelter  from  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


415 


biting  winter  blasts.    Mr.  Fahler  well  remembered  the  team  of  spotted 
ponies  which  belonged  to  Chief  Shabbona. 

The  children  of  Daniel  and  Maria  Fahler  were  Levi,  Elizabeth 
(Deaner),  John,  Mose,  Mary  (Dowling),  and  Lydia  (Clay).  Levi  was 
the  father  of  William  and  Martin  Fahler,  both  now  deceased.  William's 
children  were  Eva  (Mann),  Russell  (deceased),  Elnora  (Near)  and 
Winnifred  (Rempher).  Descendants  of  Martin  Fahler  are  Forrest, 
Harry,  and  Atheda  (Widmer).  Today  the  Fahlers  are  in  their  sixth 
generation  in  Mendota. 

GEORGE  PHILIP  YOST 

early  IN  the  year  1849,  George  Philip  Yost  immigrated  to  the 
United  States  from  Germany  with  his  family  of  four  children:  John 
Philip  Yost,  Philip  Jacob  Yost,  John  Caspar  Yost,  and  Elizabeth  Cath- 
erine Yost.  They  landed  in  New  Orleans,  then  came  up  the  Mississippi 
and  Illinois  rivers  to  La  Salle.  Only  two  days  after  arriving  there,  the 
father  died  of  cholera. 

The  children  settled  on  farms  in  Mendota  township  and  married. 
John  Philip  had  10  children,  Philip  Jacob  had  11  children,  one  by  a 
second  marriage,  and  John  Caspar  had  11  children. 

One  of  the  best  remembered  is  John  Yost,  eldest  son  of  Philip  Jacob 
Yost.  After  farming,  he  moved  to  Mendota.  He  conducted  an  im- 
plement business  starting  about  1888,  first  with  Louis  Knauer,  on  Jeffer- 
son street,  and  later  with  Fred  Oester,  on  Illinois  avenue. 

Other  children  of  Philip  Yost  were  Katie,  Caroline,  Margaret, 
Marie,  Conrad,  George  H.,  Eva,  and  Magdalene,  all  now  deceased. 

Descendants  from  these  are  legion  in  this  community. 

S.  J.  HAIGHT 

s.  J.  haight  was  born  in  Meriden  Township  at  the  end  of  1845 
and  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  parents'  farm.  He  was  educated  in  the 
country  school  there,  and  later  attended  Lombard  college,  but  had  to 
give  it  up  because  of  poor  health.  After  spending  two  years  traveling 
through  Central  America  and  California,  he  returned  to  this  vicinity 
and  married  Mary  Ann  Hoffman  Wisner. 

Mary  was  born  in  Peru  in  1843  and  came  to  Mendota  Township 
with  her  family  in  1854. 

S.  J.  and  Mary  Haight  had  five  children.  Two  girls  died  in  in- 
fancy and  the  other  three  children  were  Samuel  John,  Mrs.  William 
MacKnight,  and  Harry  William.  S.  J.  Haight  Jr.'  was  the  father  of 
Charles  Haight,  Meriden;  and  of  Grace  Haight  McCray  and  Samuel 
Haight,  both  formerly  of  Mendota. 


416 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


H 


THE  X1UMAN  URGE 


S 


ince  the  beginning  of  time  the  one  great  urge  of  human  kind 
has  been  to  assemble  themselves  together. 

From  these  assemblings  have  sprung  numerous  organizations  with 
various  objectives  from  unity-projections  to  purely  social. 

Mendota  in  her  founding  and  growth  has  felt  that  urge  keenly 
through  the  years.  So  we  find  her,  "The  World's  Greatest  Little  City", 
with  many  organized  groups,  each  a  loyal  part  of  the  whole. 


FAIR  ASSOCIATION 

twenty  acres  of  the  present  site  of  the  Tri-County  fairgrounds 
was  first  leased  from  the  Castle  farm  in  1873.  In  that  year  under  the 
guidance  of  Simon  Lee  and  A.  T.  H.  Newport  a  racing  association 
was  founded  and  the  place  was  called  the  Mendota  Driving  Park. 
This  group  later  purchased  the  grounds  and  held  race  meets  until 
about  1882  and  then  abandoned  it  for  several  years. 

The  next  organization  formed  was  the  Union  Agricultural  fair, 
holding  a  fair  each  autumn.  This  group  fell  into  hard  times;  so 
they  just  held  fairs  and  race  meets  intermittently  until  about  1905 
or  1906  when  the  grounds  were  sold  to  a  new  group  which  held  only 
racing  meets  during  the  summer.  This  group  belonged  to  the  "Little 
Grand  Circuit"  and  some  of  the  nation's  best  pacers  and  trotters  ran 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


417 


on  the  tracks  during  this  time.  High  operation  costs,  bad  weather,  etc. 
forced  this  group  to  "give  up  the  ghost"  after  several  years. 

The  grounds  and  buildings  stood  idle  again  until  about  1915,  at 
which  time  the  Mendota  Agricultural  fair  was  rejuvenated  and  a  tent 
fair  was  held  for  about  three  years.  This  was  again  abandoned  until 
1921,  when  a  new  corporation  was  formed  and  an  additional  six  acres 
joining  the  grounds  on  the  north  was  purchased.  A  new  floral  hall, 
cattle  barn,  and  comfort  station  were  built.  Fairs  were  held  for  the  next 
five  or  six  years  until  the  association  again  ran  onto  the  financial  rock 
and  the  note-holders  took  possession  of  the  grounds.  After  this  junior 
fairs  were  held  for  several  years  but  nothing  of  importance  was  done 
to  improve  the  grounds  or  revive  a  fair. 

In  1939  the  Lions  club  leased  the  grounds  and  held  fairs  until 
1942,  but  dropped  the  project  on  account  of  World  War  II. 

In  1945  the  note-holders  decided  to  sell  the  grounds  and  it  was 
purchased  by  a  group  who  formed  the  present  Tri-County  Fair  asso- 
ciation. The  first  officers  of  this  organization  were  Les  Oester,  Gilbert 
Truckenbrod,  Harold  Sonntag,  and  Paul  Stenger.  Since  this  organiza- 
tion has  been  in  operation  it  has  renovated  the  old  buildings,  put  up 
four  barns,  put  in  a  country  school  house  for  children's  displays,  in- 
creased seating  capacity,  and  operated  successfully;  making  this  fair 
one  of  the  best  in  the  state.   Ed.  Lorack  was  named  secretary  in  1953. 


GRAVES  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

the  GREY  stone  building  in  what  is  now  known  as  Library  Park 
is  the  fulfillment  of  a  dream  of  men  and  women  whose  appreciation  of 
reading  led  to  the  hope  that  by  establishing  a  circulating  library 
others  might  share  that  pleasure. 

Early  in  1870  plans  were  made  and  with  a  fund  of  only  $100 
the  Mendota  Library  association  was  organized  under  a  charter  issued 
by  the  secretary  of  state  which  provided  for  the  management  and  con- 
trol in  a  board  of  seven  trustees.  The  first  library  board  chose  Dr. 
J.  A.  Hoffman  as  president,  James  Hunter  as  secretary,  and  E.  A. 
Bowen  as  treasurer.  Additional  funds  from  the  proceeds  of  a  course 
of  lectures  and  other  entertainments  made  it  possible  to  purchase  the 
first  installment  of  books. 

In  the  winter  of  1873  the  project  was  put  on  a  solid  foundation 
through  the  generosity  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willard  Graves  who  presented 
the  association  with  $2,000  in  cash,  an  interest  bearing  note  for  $700, 
and  a  deed  to  the  property  on  which  the  present  library  is  located. 


418 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


There  was  a  two-story  frame  building  there  which  could  be  used  as 
a  library.    The  entire  donation  amounted  to  about  $6,000. 

More  interest  was  aroused  and  the  Mendota  Lecture  society  and 
Mendota  Lyceum  contributed  their  savings  and  made  gifts  of  books. 
The  building  was  put  in  order;  1,700  books  were  purchased;  and  a 
library  was  formally  opened  on  the  second  floor  of  the  building 
September  8,  1874.    Dr.  Moody,  a  dentist,  was  librarian. 

The  association  had  40  members.  Memberships  were  for  life  and 
cost  $5.    By  1877  there  were  nearly  200  members  and  over  2,000  books. 

In  1879,  Dr.  Moody  retired  and  Miss  M.  C.  Cook  took  charge. 

In  1894,  the  first  effort  was  made  to  achieve  a  free  public  library 
through  a  petition  from  the  citizens  of  Mendota  and  a  request  from 
the  board  of  directors.  The  request  was  unanimously  granted  by  the 
city  council  April  13,  1894.  A  new  board  was  elected  as  follows: 
Dr.  E.  P.  Cook,  president;  L.  B.  Crooker,  vice-president;  Otto  Keisel- 
bach,  secretary.  The  other  members  were :  F.  Gifford,  George  Dewing, 
William  Jenkins,  G.  A.  Kellenberger,  S.  E.  Bede,  W.  R.  Foster.  The 
first  free  public  library  was  opened  on  October  2,  1894,  with  Mrs. 
R.  W.  Blakeslee  as  librarian. 

The  library  grew.  By  1903  a  new  building  was  needed.  Miss 
Alice  Wylie,  secretary,  was  asked  to  send  a  request  to  Andrew  Carnegie 
for  financial  help.  The  request  for  $10,000  was  refused  at  first,  but 
through  the  persistence  of  Miss  Wylie  the  gift  was  finally  granted  and 
the  construction  began  in  1904.  The  new  building  was  opened  to  the 
public  on  February  3,  1905. 

The  fine  building  was  admired  by  all  and  although  library  archi- 
tecture has  changed  much  since  that  time,  Mendota  can  still  be  very 
proud  of  its  library  home.  Due  to  the  interest  of  a  conscientious  board 
of  directors  the  building  is  well-cared  for  and  additions  and  changes 
were  made  when  necessary.  Modern  lighting  has  replaced  the  old 
fixtures  and  bookshelves  are  now  on  every  wall. 

The  most  recent  improvement  is  the  development  of  a  children's 
room  in  the  basement.  This  is  a  spacious,  cheerful  room  which  is  a 
joy  to  all  who  use  it.  The  former  children's  room  now  provides  ample 
space  for  the  many  reference  books.  The  library  now  contains  approxi- 
mately 16,000  books  and  a  large  collection  of  periodicals  and  pamphlets. 
Several  departments  serve  the  public. 

The  library  is  open  every  week  day  and  three  evenings,  with 
the  exception  of  Thursday,  closing  from  June  through  September. 

The  management  of  the  library  is  handled  by  a  board  of  nine 
directors  and  two  librarians  as  follows:  Mrs.  B.  Harry  Reck,  president; 
B.  J.  Dean,  vice-president;  Watson  P.  Bartlett,  secretary;  Arthur  Hollis- 


MAGNIFJCENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


419 


ton,  Dr.  W.  M.  Avery,  R.  E.  Richert,  Wesley  Wright,  Mrs.  Nano 
Dubbs,  Miss  Jessie  Denison. 

Sadie  Wilcox  is  adults'  department  librarian  and  Mrs.  Edna  Bruck- 
ner is  children's  department  librarian. 

Sadie  Wilcox  has  been  the  efficient  and  pleasant  librarian  of  the 
library  for  a  span  of  37  years  and  thus  has  witnessed,  if  not  inaugu- 
rated, many  of  the  forward  steps  in  this  institution.  She  began  her 
work  at  the  library  in  July,  1916. 


MASONS 

mendota  lodge  NO.  176,  a.f.&a.m.  is  now  nearly  99  years  old. 
Its  charter  was  issued  October  3,  1855,  and,  as  is  customary  for  Ma- 
sonic Lodges,  it  existed  several  months  previous  to  that  date  under 
dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge. 

In  the  charter  issued  October  3,  1855,  the  following  were  named 
as  the  three  principal  officers:  William  W.  Callow,  Worshipful  Master; 
Addison  T.  Lyon,  Senior  Warden;  and  Joseph  0.  Crooker,  Junior 
Warden. 

Forty-four  men  have  guided  the  destiny  of  the  Lodge  during  its 
first  98  years.  The  names  of  these  Past  Masters,  and  the  years  in 
which  they  served,  are  as  follows : 


William  W.  Callow  ....  1855 
George  B.  Colburn  ....  1856 
Charles    H.    Gilman    ....    1857,    1858, 

1859  and  1861 
A.  H.  Davis   ....   1860  and  1864 
Joseph  W.  Edwards  ....   1862 

Hascal  C.  Bristol 1863 

John    C.    Corbus,    Sr 1865    and 

1866 
David  A.  Cook  ....   1867,  1868,  1869, 

1870,  1872,  1873  and  1874 
Milroy  A.  McKey  ....   1871  and  1876 

Preston  I.  Davis 1875 

William  Jenkins  ....  1877 
George  W.  Tewksbury  ....   1878 
Jacob   Scheidenhelm    1879,   1880, 

1881,   1882,   1883,   1884,   1885,   1886, 

1887,    1888,   1889,   1890,   1891,   1892, 

1893,   1894,   1895,   1896,   1897,   1898, 

1900  and  1911 
Edward  J.  Staten 1899,  1901  and 

1902 
Mathew  J.  Wilson  ....  1903 
Edwin  G.  McMackin   ....    1904,  1905, 

1908  and  1909 


Edgar  P.  Cook  ....  1906  and  1907 
Oscar  P.  Harris   ....    1910,   1912  and 
1913 

E.  A.  Walker  ....  1914 
Charles  W.  McCray  ....   1915 
Harry  L.  Gray  ....  1916 

Clyde  Schwartz 1917 

Harry  H.  Wright  ....   1918 

Charles  E.  Merritt   1919 

William  A.  McMillan    ....    1920 
Karl  N.  Erbes  ....   1921  and  1932 
Charles    D.    Powell    ....    1922,    1925, 

1933,  1934  and  1935 
Charles  M.  Salander  ....  1923 

F.  Paul  Breuer  ....  1924 
Theodore  Schildberg  ....   1926 

C.  Walter  Jacob    ....    1927  and  1928 

William    F.    Knauer    1929    and 

1930 

George  C.  Van  Meter   1931 

George  E.   Hessenberger   ....    1936 
Ralph  C.  Jacob  ....  1937  and  1938 
Glenn  M.  Momeny  ....  1939 
James  R.  Mercer 1940 


420 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Samuel  E.  Le  Marr  ....  1941  Alexander  E.  Wylie   ....    1946 

David  D.  Barnett   ....   1942,  1943  and  Karl   R.   Brunner    ....    1947  and  1948 

1949  Clifford  Carr  ....   1950  and  1951 

Robert  S.   Black    ....    1944  and  1945  Harry  A.  Bryan   ....    1952 

Nineteen  of  the  Past  Masters  of  Mendota  Lodge  No.  176  are  still 
members  of  the  Lodge,  all  others  either  being  deceased  or  having  trans- 
ferred to  other  Masonic  Lodges.  Those  Past  Masters  who  are  still 
members  are  as  follows:  Messrs.  Walker,  McCray,  Merritt,  Erbes, 
Powell,  Salander,  Breuer,  C.  Walter  Jacob,  Knauer,  Van  Meter,  Ralph 
C.  Jacob,  Momeny,  Le  Marr,  Barnett,  Black,  Wylie,  Brunner,  Carr  and 
Bryan. 

Two  other  Past  Masters  have  transferred  and  are  now  members 
of  Mendota  Lodge  No.  176.  They  are  Gerald  Snyder,  formerly  Wor- 
shipful Master  of  the  Lafayette  Lodge  and  Harold  B.  Ebbinghaus, 
formerly  Worshipful  Master  of  the  Sleepy  Eye,  Minnesota  lodge. 

Officers  of  Mendota  Lodge  No.  176  for  the  year  1953  are  as 
follows:  John  D.  Wheeler,  Worshipful  Master;  Roy  D.  Morrill,  Senior 
Warden;  Verner  E.  Boiling,  Junior  Warden;  J.  A.  Tapper,  Treasurer; 
Alexander  E.  Wylie,  Secretary;  Karl  N.  Erbes,  Chaplain;  James  D. 
Hume,  Senior  Deacon;  Donald  C.  Taylor,  Junior  Deacon;  James  W. 
Janes,  Senior  Steward;  Willard  L.  Fouts,  Junior  Steward;  David  D. 
Barnett,  Marshal;  Reynold  J.  Neff,  Tyler. 

ROYAL  ARCH  MASONS 

MENDOTA  chapter  NO.  79,  R.  A.  M.  is  now  nearly  89  years  old. 
Its  charter  was  issued  October  6,  1865,  and,  according  to  custom,  it 
had  existed  for  several  months  under  dispensation  from  the  Grand 
Royal  Arch  chapter  at  that  date. 

In  the  charter  issued  October  6,  1865,  the  following  were  named 
as  the  three  principal  officers:  Charles  H.  Gilman,  High  Priest;  John 
H.  Harris,  King;  and  George  Emerson,  Scribe. 

No  general  list  of  Past  High  Priests  of  the  Chapter  is  available  nor 
could  it  be  obtained  without  a  careful  examination  of  all  minute  books 
for  the  past  eighty-eight  years.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  living 
Past  High  Priests,  all  of  whom  are  still  members  of  the  chapter,  and 
the  years  in  which  they  served  in  office: 

William    R.    Foster    ....    1896,  1897,       Charles    M.    Salander    ....    1941    and 

1898,  1899  and  1900  1942 

C.  Walter  Jacob  ....  1926  Raymond   G.   Erbes    ....    1943 

Charles    E.    Merritt    ....    1927,  1928,      Alexander  E.   Wylie    ....    1944,   1948, 

1929,    1931,    1937,    1938,    1939  and          1949  and  1951 

1940  Charles  S.  Merritt,  Sr 1945,  1946 

Karl  N.  Erbes  ....  1930  and  1947 

Ralph  C.  Jacob    ....    1932  Harvey  Cook  ....  1952 

E.   A.   Walker    ....    1934,   1935,  1936 

and  1950 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


421 


Charles  S.  Merritt,  Sr.  also  served  as  High  Priest  of  the  Aurora 
Chapter  in  the  year  1926. 

The  following  are  the  elective  officers  of  the  Chapter  for  the  year 
1953:  Ralph  Miller,  High  Priest;  Glenn  M.  Momeny,  King;  T.  J. 
Helbig,  Scribe;  C.  Walter  Jacob,  Treasurer;  and  William  F.  Knauer, 
Secretary. 

BETHANY  COMMANDERY 

BETHANY  commandery  No.  28,  Knights  Templar,  was  chartered 
by  the  Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templar  of  the  State  of  Illinois 
October  27,  1868. 

Charter  members  were  George  M.  Black,  George  Emerson,  David 
A.  Cook,  Jason  R.  Liscom,  George  F.  Stannard,  Wilbur  F.  Blomfield, 
James  A.  Church,  John  C.  Corbus,  Preston  I.  Davis,  James  B.  Dawson, 
Joseph  W.  Edwards,  Frederick  H.  Haskell,  J.  H.  Harris,  Robert  L. 
Gilmore,  Anthony  B.  Gould,  William  C.  Harrington,  Jason  M.  Liscom. 

Stated  conclave  is  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  each  month  with 
annual  conclave  being  held  in  June,  at  which  time  election  of  officers 
is  held  and  annual  reports  given.    Present  membership  is  105. 

Living  Eminent  Past  Commanders:  Williston  F.  Colson,  Louis  F. 
Knauer,  Frank  B.  Kaufman,  Charles  D.  Powell,  Christoph  W.  Jacob, 
Jesse  E.  Wixom,  John  A.  Woods,  Charles  E.  Merritt,  George  M.  Sowers, 
Raymond  W.  Jones,  Clarence  W.  Potter,  Charles  M.  Salander,  Frank 
C.  Lenihan,  Charles  S.  Merritt,  Sr.,  Eddy  A.  Walker,  Charles  S.  Merritt, 
Jr. 

Present  officers:  Willard  F.  Merritt,  Eminent  Commander;  George 
W.  Day,  Generalissimo ;  Clifford  Carr,  Captain  General ;  Ovid  L.  Davis, 
Senior  Warden ;  Eddy  A.  Walker,  E.P.C.,  Junior  Warden ;  Raymond  W. 
Jones,  E.P.C.  Prelate ;  Charles  S.  Merritt,  Sr.,  E.P.C.  Recorder ;  Ross  A. 
Hotchkiss,  Standard  Bearer;  Jesse  E.  Wixom,  E.P.C.  Sword  Bearer; 
Ralph  E.  Miller,  Warder;  Harvey  F.  Cook,  Color  Bearer;  Ray  Kreiser, 
Sentinel. 


ORDER  OF  THE  EASTERN  STAR 

azure  chapter  NO.  523,  o.  E.  s.,  is  now  nearly  50  years  old. 
Its  charter  was  issued  October  5,  1904,  but  it  has  actually  been  in 
existence,  under  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Chapter,  since  Decem- 
ber 2,  1903. 

The  following  were  named  as  the  three  principal  officers  in  the 
Charter  issued  October  5,  1904: 


422 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


Mrs.  Lulu  Smith,  Worthy  Matron;  William  R.  Foster,  Worthy 
Patron;  and  Mrs.  Florence  Lewis,  Associate  Matron. 

Only  one  of  the  original  Charter  members  and  founders,  Mrs. 
Theresa  Kreis,  still  remains  a  member  of  Azure  Chapter,  all  of  the 
others  being  now  deceased  or  transferred  to  other  Chapters,  most  of 
them  being  deceased. 

Forty-three  Worthy  Matrons  and  33  Worthy  Patrons  presided  over 
the  chapter  during  the  first  49  years  of  its  existence. 

The  names  of  its  Past  Matrons,  and  the  years  in  which  they  served, 
are  as  follows: 


Mrs.  Blanche  Salander  ....  1929 

Mrs.  Lulu  Smith   .... 

1904 

Miss  Gertrude  Retz   1930 

Mrs.  Florence  Lewis   . 

...    1905,  1906, 

Mrs.  Irene  Momeny   1931 

1907  and  1908 

Mrs.  Maude  O.  Eckart 1932 

Mrs.  Theresa  Kreis   . . 

..    1909 

Mrs.  Mildred  E.  McCully  ....     1933 

Mrs.  Ruth  Harris   

1910  and  1911 

Mrs.  Helen  Trout   ....    1934 

Mrs.    Emma   Hoffman 

....    1912 

Mrs.  Irma  Beitsch    1935 

Mrs.    Isabella    Imus     . 

...     1913    and 

Mrs.  Marjorie  Knuppel  1936 

1914 

Mrs.  Alma  Gillette 1937 

Mrs.   Anna  Moss    .... 

1915 

Mrs.  Charlotte  Betz 1938 

Mrs.  Bessie  McCray  . , 

, . .     1916 

Mrs.  Marjorie  Mercer   ....    1939 

Mrs.   Grace  Merritt   . . 

..   1917 

Mrs.  Alma  E.  Van  Etten 1940 

Mrs.  Clara  Grogan  ... 

.  1918 

Mrs.  Anna  Hoagland 1941 

Mrs.  Margaret  Walker 

....   1919 

Miss  Myrtle  Beitsch 1942 

Mrs.   Clara  McNutt    .. 

..    1920 

Mrs.   Helen  M.  Paige   1943 

Mrs.   Lavinia  Swisher 

....    1921 

Miss   Eleanor   Martin    ....    1944 

Mrs.  Alice  Schildberg 

....   1922 

Mrs.  Florence  Black  ....  1945 

Mrs.   Eva  Wideman    . . 

..   1923 

Mrs.  Grace  I.  Dempsey  ....   1946 

Mrs.  Gertrude  Woods 

....    1924 

Mrs.  Edwina  L.  Jacob 1947 

Mrs.  Mabel  L.  Tower 

....   1925 

Mrs.  Adelaide  C.  Wylie   ....   1948 

Mrs.  Mabel  Wixom    . . 

..   1926 

Mrs.  Lena  Erbes  ....   1949 

Mrs.  Olive  Cook  ....  1927 

Mrs.  Bertha  Carr   ....   1950  and  1952 

Mrs.  Jeannette  Harrison  ....     1928 

Mrs.  Dorothy  M.  Merritt 1951 

Mrs.  Adelaide  C.  Wylie  also  served  as  Worthy  Matron  of  the 
Clare,  Michigan  chapter  in  1936  and  as  Grand  Esther  of  the  Grand 
chapter  of  Michigan  in  1938. 

Twenty-four  of  the  Past  Matrons  of  Azure  chapter  are  still  living 
and  members  of  the  Chapter,  as  follows:  Mesdames  Kreis,  McCray, 
Tower,  Wixom,  Cook,  Harrison,  Salander,  Momeny,  Eckart,  McCully, 
Irma  Beitsch,  Mercer,  Van  Etten,  Hoagland,  Myrtle  Beitsch,  Paige, 
Martin,  Black,  Dempsey,  Jacob,  Wylie,  Erbes,  Carr  and  Dorothy  M. 
Merritt. 

Three  other  Past  Matrons  have  transferred  and  are  now  members 
of  Azure  Chapter,  as  follows:  Mrs.  Sue  Andrews  served  as  Worthy 
Matron  of  the  Troy  Grove  chapter  in  1933;  Mrs.  Erma  Merritt  of  the 
Libertyville  chapter  in  1936;  and  Mrs.  Ruth  Kerchner  of  two  Chapters, 
the  Wyanet  Chapter  in  1941  and  the  Sublette  Chapter  in  1943. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


423 


The  names  of  its  Past  Patrons,  and  the  years  in  which  they  served, 
are  as  follows: 

William  R.  Foster 1904,  1905  and       Glenn  M.  Momeny 1930  and  1931 

1906  Arthur  L.  Eckart  ....  1932 

J.  W.  Langford   ....   1907,  1908,  1909  Lester  H.  McCully  ....  1933 

and  1910  Leslie  E.  Trout 1934 

William  Ward   ....   1911  Elmer  E.  Beitsch  ....  1935 

J.  A.  Tapper  ....  1912  George  P.  Jacob   ....   1936,  1937  and 

Henry  Buel  ....  1913  and  1914  1940 

Daniel  Tower   ....    1915  and  1916  Ezra  C.  Betz  ....   1938 

Charles  E.  Merritt 1917  James  R.  Mercer   1939 

Paul  Breuer  ....   1918  and  1919  George  E.  Hessenberger  ....  1941 

A.  R.  McNutt  ....  1920  Robert  S.  Black    ....    1942  and  1945 

Charles  M.   Salander   ....    1921,  1927  Harrison  Paige  ....  1943 

and  1929  Alexander  E.  Wylie  ....  1944 

Rudolph  Schildberg  ....  1922  Raymond  G.  Erbes  ....  1946  and  1949 

Oscar  Wideman    1923  William  T.  Jacob   1947 

John  A.  Woods   ....    1924  Verner  E.  Boiling  ....  1948 

Forrest  Tower  ....  1925  Clifford  Carr  ....  1950  and  1952 

C.  Walter  Jacob   ....   1926  Charles  S.  Merritt,  Sr 1951 

Theodore  Schildberg  ....  1928 

Alexander  E.  Wylie  also  served  as  Worthy  Patron  of  the  Clare, 
Michigan  chapter  in  1933,  1934,  1935  and  1940. 

Eighteen  of  the  Past  Patrons  of  Azure  chapter  are  still  living  and 
members  of  the  chapter,  as  follows:  Messrs.  Tapper,  Charles  E. 
Merritt,  Salander,  Woods,  Momeny,  McCully,  Beitsch,  George  P.  Jacob, 
Betz,  Mercer,  Black,  Paige,  Wylie,  Erbes,  William  T.  Jacob,  Boiling, 
Carr  and  Charles  S.  Merritt,  Sr. 

Three  other  Past  Patrons  have  transferred  and  are  now  members 
of  Azure  chapter,  as  follows:  Rev.  Willard  J.  Frost  served  as  Worthy 
Patron  of  the  Williamston,  Michigan  chapter  in  1908;  Samuel  E. 
Le  Marr  of  the  Onarga  chapter  in  1912'  and  1913 ;  and  Gerald  Snyder 
of  the  Lafayette  chapter  in  1924. 


Officers  of  Azure  chapter  for  the  year  1953  are  as  follows:  Mrs. 
Mildred  C.  Gustavson,  Worthy  Matron;  Karl  R.  Brunner,  Worthy 
Patron;  Mrs.  Julia  L.  Wheeler,  Associate  Matron;  John  D.  Wheeler, 
Associate  Patron.  Mrs.  Irene  Momeny,  secretary;  Miss  Frances  Mc- 
Millan, treasurer;  Mrs.  Vivian  H.  Mason,  Conductress;  Mrs.  Grace 
Rittmeyer,  Associate  Conductress;  Clifford  Carr,  Chaplain;  Mrs. 
Bertha  Carr,  Marshal;  Mrs.  Mildred  E.  McCully,  organist.  Mrs.  Doris 
V.  Janes,  Adah;  Mrs.  Bernice  Whitmore,  Ruth;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Helbig, 
Esther;  Mrs.  Patty  Tidd,  Martha;  Mrs.  Evelyn  M.  Gardner,  Electa; 
Claude  A.  Rittmeyer,  warder;  T.  J.  Helbig,  sentinel. 


424 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


GALILEE  SHRINE,  NO.  13,  W.S.J. 

on  august  5,  1907,  a  large  group  of  petitioners  met  for  the  pur- 
pose of  arranging  for  the  instituting  of  a  White  Shrine  of  Jerusalem 
in  Mendota,  Illinois.  At  this  meeting  Mrs.  Florence  Lewis  of  Azure 
Chapter,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  Mendota,  was  elected  Worthy  High 
Priestess. 

Supreme  Officers  in  Charge  were  S.  Love  Justice,  Supreme  Worthy 
High  Priestess;  Ora  Remsburg  of  Ohio,  111.  (A  member  of  Capernaum 
Shrine,  Freeport)  as  Supreme  Herald;  Pauline  Dicks,  Supreme  Noble 
Prophetess  as  Supreme  Chaplain. 

August  20,  1907,  Supreme  Shrine  having  granted  Galilee  Shrine 
a  charter,  the  installation  of  officers  was  held  with  S.  Love  Justice,  as 
installing  officer. 

The  following  officers  were  installed: 

Florence  Lewis,  Worthy  High  Priestess;  John  Langford,  Watch- 
man of  Shepherds;  Fannie  Langford,  Noble  Prophetess;  Laura  Hen- 
ning,  Worthy  Shepherdess;  Hilda  E.  Young,  Worthy  Guide;  Maude 
Perkins,  Worthy  Herald;  Charles  C.  Kohl,  Worthy  Treasurer;  Joseph 
W.  Edwards,  Worthy  Scribe;  Marguerite  Walker,  1st  Hand  Maid; 
Minnie  Kohl,  2nd  Hand  Maid;  Emma  Hoffman,  3rd  Hand  Maid; 
Isabella  Imus,  Worthy  Chaplain;  Annie  Moss,  Worthy  Guardian; 
Thomas  F.  A.  Newport,  Worthy  Guard;  H.  W.  Ferdinand  Henning, 
Worthy  Organist. 

The  following  members  signed  the  charter: 

Florence  Lewis  Annie  Moss  John  Hoffman 

Fannie  Langford  Hannah  Newport  D.  C.  Tower 

Laura  Henning  F.  A.  Newport  Josephine  Tower 

Hilda  E.  Young  Emma  Hoffman  May  L.  Miller 

Carrie  Moore  John  Lewis  Dora  Buel 

Isabella  Imus  H.  W.  Ferdinand  Henning    Henry  Buel 

Leona  Booth  Jos.  W.  Edwards  Louise  Tweed 

Lorena  Waldorf  John  W.  Langford  Carrie  Wells 

Marguerite  Walker  0.  P.  Harris  Maude  Perkins 

Minnie  Kohl  Ruth  Harris  Stephen  M.  Perkins 

C.  C.  Kohl  A.  A.  Swearingen  Emma  Schempp 

During  the  46  years  Galilee  Shrine  has  existed,  it  has  continued 
to  grow  in  membership. 

Present  Officers  are:  Dorothy  Merritt,  Worthy  High  Priestess; 
Charles  S.  Merritt,  Watchman  Of  Shepherds;  Elizabeth  Swope,  Noble 
Phophetess;  Wendell  Swope,  Associate  Watchman  of  Shepherds;  Lucy 
McLaughlin,  Worthy  Scribe;  Clarence  Ray,  Worthy  Treasurer;  Frances 
McMillan,  Worthy  Chaplain;  Bessy  Edgcomb,  Worthy  Shepherdess; 
Marie  Gibson,  Worthy  Guide;  Louise  Hickok,  Worthy  Herald;  Clifford 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


425 


Carr,  First  Wise  Man;  Harold  Grey,  Second  Wise  Man;  Floyd  Miller, 
Third  Wise  Man;  Ralph  Miller,  King;  Anna  Miller,  Queen;  Marie 
Willshay,  First  Hand  Maid;  Gladys  Hartman,  Second  Hand  Maid; 
Elsie  Hessenberger,  Third  Hand  Maid;  Erma  Davis,  Worthy  Organist; 
August   Mende,   Worthy   Guardian;    Alice   Pottinger,   Worthy  Guard. 


ODD  FELLOWS  LODGE 

IN  1870  the  following  men  made  application  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  organize  an  Odd  Fellows  lodge  in  Mendota:  Max  A.  F. 
Haass,  Francis  Sikora,  Christoph  Arnold,  David  Frank,  C.  Henning, 
Jacob  Miller,  Jacob  Fritz,  Jacob  Kohl,  Louis  Eckart,  John  Theurer, 
E.  Gruby  and  C.  Meisenheimer.  This  was  granted  and  October  11, 
1870,  a  lodge  was  established  in  Mendota  to  be  known  as  Allemania 
Lodge  No.  411. 

All  ritualistic  work  was  conducted  in  the  German  language  until 
the  end  of  World  War  I. 

The  first  officers  of  the  Lodge  were:  Max  A.  F.  Haass,  noble 
grand;  Jacob  Kohl,  vice  grand;  Jacob  Fritz,  treasurer;  David  Frank, 
recording  secretary. 

The  present  officers  are:  Harold  Schlesinger,  noble  grand; 
Alexander  E.  Wylie,  vice  grand;  Carl  J.  Yost,  treas.;  R.  G.  Erbes, 
finance  secretary;  Louis  L.  Larson,  recording  secretary  and  LeRoy 
Stein,  chaplain. 

There  was  another  lodge  in  Mendota,  No.  293.  In  1937  this 
lodge  consolidated  with  Allemania  Lodge  No.  411. 


REBEKAH  LODGE 

mendota  rebekah  lodge  #419  was  instituted  by  P.  W.  Wilcox 
November  13,  1895.    There  were  29  charter  members. 

Rev.  Dowling  of  the. Advent  Christian  church  was  an  ardent  Odd 
Fellow  and  his  enthusiasm  did  much  to  set  in  motion  the  work  of 
organizing  Rebekah  Lodge  #419. 

Viola  Caswell  was  the  first  Noble  Grand  and  Mrs.  Pauline  Weidner 
the  treasurer.  The  lodge  flourished  for  awhile,  but  due  to  the  death 
of  the  leader  P.  W.  Wilcox  soon  after  its  organization,  the  work  of  the 
lodge  was  suspended  for  a  time. 

A  few  of  the  members  held  meetings  for  some  time  and  in  that 
way  retained  the  charter.     In  1910  the  lodge  was  reorganized  with  25 


426 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


members.  It  flourished  for  awhile  and  then  again  became  inactive. 
Again  in  1915,  through  the  efforts  of  Grace  Henry,  the  lodge  was 
reorganized  with  26  initiated  members,  four  by  card,  and  12  former 
members.  As  time  passed,  the  members  took  more  courage,  and 
finally  became  independent  in  the  work  of  Rebekah-Odd  Fellowship. 
Meetings  are  held  on  the  second  and  fourth  Fridays  of  each  month. 
They  were  held  on  the  third  floor  of  the  Heiman  building  until  in  1936 
when  the  third  floor  of  that  building  was  removed.  It  was  then  they 
moved  to  their  present  location. 

A  drill  team  was  organized  in  1935  and  became  very  active,  drill- 
ing in  many  places  including  a  rally  meeting  at  The  Old  Folks  Home 
in  Mattoon,  Illinois. 

November  13,  1945,  the  Lodge  celebrated  its  fiftieth  anniversary. 
Three  times  has  the  Mendota  lodge  been  host  to  District  14:  in 
1930,  1940  and  1949. 

A  Past  Noble  Grand  club  was  formed  in  1935  and  has  been  active 
since. 

The  Past  Noble  Grands  have  been : 

Helen  Shirey 
Emma  Truckenbrod  Millie  Lippincott 

Mayme  Mueller  Nettie  Hoerner 

Edna  Weitzel  Katherine  King 

Esther  Riegel  Frances  Pierson 

Ida  Amsler  Gladys  Wooley 

Margaret  Parks  Grace  Brown 

Mary  Shipper  Lucille  Eddy 

Sylvene  Foster  Ada  Kilmartin 

Ida  Riegel  Doris  Knox 

Katherine  Fischer  Esther  Henkels 

Delia  Riegel  Marian  Sauer 

Mabel  Worsley  Alma  Sibigtroth 

Bernice  Martin  Lou  Alice  Yates  (Becker) 

Marjorie  Burlingame  Letitia  Steele 

Nora  Yost  Maude  Smith 

Mabel  Brown  Betty  Teauseau 

Izora  Kidd  Phoebe  Loach 

Florence  Becket  Mildred  Gustavson 

Louise  Leifeit  Margaret  Pohl 

Lena  Erbes  Mary  Bingelli 


MENDOTA  ELKS  LODGE  NO.  1212 

any  history  of  the  Elks  lodge  must  first  describe  another  social 
club  which  preceded  the  Elks.  This  club  was  known  as  the  Mendota 
Owl  club  and  had  about  100  members.  The  lodge  rooms  now  occupied 
by  the  Odd  Fellow  lodge  were  erected  by  0.  C.  Weitzel  for  the  Owls. 
Early  in  the  year  1910  a  movement  was  started  by  the  Owls  to  organize 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


427 


an  Elks  lodge.  The  leaders  were  Robert  Hallenberg,  Henry  Zolper, 
Fred  Mueller,  and  Dan  Fitch.  The  Grand  lodge  rules  at  that  time 
stated  that  a  city  must  have  a  population  of  at  least  5,000  in  order 
to  receive  a  charter.  Committees  were  then  appointed  to  take  a  census 
of  the  city. 

After  counting  all  of  the  people  living  in  Mendota  and  a  sub- 
stantial number  who  had  moved  from  here,  we  had  a  total  of  5,062. 
The  census  was  certified  by  James  Shepley,  Mayor  of  Mendota  at  the 
time.  A  dispensation  was  granted  on  September  15,  1910,  by  Aug. 
Herrmann,  Grand  Exalted  Ruler  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks  to  A.  W.  Bush,  L.  F.  Knauer,  William  E.  Large,  D.  A. 
Fitch  and  three  others.  This  granted  permission  to  organize  an  Elks 
lodge  to  be  known  as  Mendota  Lodge  No.  1212  B.  P.  0.  E.  October 
19,  1910,  the  Mendota  lodge  was  instituted.  The  scene  of  this  event 
was  Eckart's  hall  located  upstairs  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  the 
A  and  P  store. 

The  program  for  the  evening  started  off  with  a  parade  of  the 
Mendota  band,  the  candidates  and  about  250  visiting  Elks  from  North- 
ern Illinois.  Also  remembered  is  one  large  gray  goat  led  by  one  of  the 
candidates.  Streets  were  decorated  with  American  flags  and  bunting, 
and  a  large  white  arch  was  constructed  on  Jefferson  street  over  the 
approach  from  the  Union  depot,  with  the  inscription  "Installation  of 
Mendota  Lodge  No.  1212  B.  P.  O.  E."  District  Deputy  Grand  Exalted 
Ruler  James  A.  Finlen  of  the  Streator  lodge  was  in  charge.  LaSalle 
Lodge  No.  584  with  Peter  Coleman,  Exalted  Ruler,  performed  the 
ritualistic  work.  Frank  L.  Fraser,  local  theater  manager,  furnished  the 
entertainment.    Charter  members  were  as  follows: 


R.  E.  Hall 
F.  J.  Schwarz 
H.  P.  Stenger 
Rev.  H.  A.  Hagen 
Eugene  Meisenbach 
Jacob  G.  Reul 
Geo.  W.  Hoerner 
Ben  J.  Zolper 
Max  Freedman 
Frank  E.  Munson 
Ed  Williams 
John  H.  Knauer 
Jos.  L.  Zolper 
John  Bauman 
Fred  Mueller 
Harry  R.  McMahon 
Rufus  W.  Waldorf 
Grover  M.  Sunday 
Geo.  Erbes 
F.  O.  McMahon 
A.  L.  Eckart 


H.  G.  Scheidecker 

A.  C.  Mclntyre 

B.  N.  Hughes 
Adolph  Karger 
Theo.  B.  Fischer 
B.  J.  Feik 

F.  R.  Bailey 
John  W.  Dubbs 
A.  R.  Lewis 
Peter  J.  Conrad 
R.  W.  Witte 
J.  W.  Cavanaugh 
R.  O.  Fischer 
Morgan  A.  Yule 
Aug.  P.  Schmidt 
Ralph  C.  Madden 
Wm.  B.  Sackett 
John  C.  Kehm 
Fred  Prangenberg 
John  P.  Schmitz 
Fred  L.  Marks 


Al  Greenbaum 
S.  G.  Jordan 
Chas.  G.  Walter 
Henry  Zolper 
Carl  Weidner 
E.  J.  Hess 
Geo.  Wendel 
Bert  Vincent 
Arthur  J.  Williams 
C.  E.  Shed 
H.  A.  Morrison 
John  Goedtner 
Henry  Kramer 
Siegfried  Karger 
Fred  Katzwinkel 
J.  C.  Corbus 
Robt.  Hallenberg 
M.  J.  Carr 
H.  O.  Holland 


428 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


The  first  officers  elected  were:  Exalted  Ruler,  Robt.  Hallenberg; 
Esteemed  Leading  Knight,  John  W.  Dubbs;  Esteemed  Loyal  Knight, 
B.  N.  Hughes;  Esteemed  Lecturing  Knight,  Frank  E.  Munson;  Secre- 
tary, Fred  Mueller;  Treasurer,  Henry  Zolper;  Tiler,  Wm.  B.  Sackett; 
Trustees,  John  Goedtner,  Henry  Stenger,  F.  R.  Bailey;  Esquire,  S.  J. 
Jordan;  Inner  Guard,  Bert  Vincent;  Organist,  A.  J.  Williams;  Chap- 
lain, Rev.  H.  A.  Hagen. 

The  first  club  rooms  were  located  on  Main  street  upstairs  in  the 
building  now  occupied  by  the  Kanteen.  Lodge  meetings  also  were  held 
in  these  rooms  for  a  few  years.  About  1915  and  until  the  completion 
of  the  present  building  all  lodge  meetings  were  held  in  the  Odd  Fellows 
lodge  rooms,  located  at  Main  and  Washington  streets  on  the  third  floor. 

On  March  21,  1917,  a  special  meeting  was  held.  The  purpose  of 
this  meeting  was  to  consider  the  purchasing  a  site  for  a  future  Elks 
home.  Meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Jos.  L.  Zolper,  Exalted  Ruler. 
After  much  discussion  about  the  several  sites  submitted  and  due  con- 
sideration given;  the  following  motion  was  offered.  Motion  by  Henry 
Zolper  and  duly  seconded  that  the  lodge  purchase  the  Pepiot  (present 
location  of  Elks  home)  property  for  a  consideration  of  $8,000;  motion 
carried. 

Construction  of  the  new  Elks  Home  was  started  early  in  the  year 
1921  and  was  completed  February  1,  1922.  The  total  cost  of  the  proj- 
ect was  $70,000  which  included  the  furnishings  and  equipment. 

George  E.  Blanchard  was  the  Exalted  Ruler  during  the  period  of 
the  construction.  There  were  times  when  it  looked  as  though  the  proj- 
ect would  surely  have  to  be  halted  due  to  a  lack  of  funds;  in  fact  it 
was  held  up  for  about  30  days  at  one  stage  of  the  erection.  George 
however  was  the  man  of  the  hour  and  through  his  untiring  effort  along 
with  other  members  of  the  finance  committee,  additional  funds  were 
obtained  and  the  job  completed. 

The  dedication  of  the  new  home  was  held  February  22,  1922. 
The  principal  speaker  of  the  day  was  Past  Grand  Exalted  Ruler  Bruce 
A.  Campbell  of  East  St.  Louis.  Evening  entertainment  consisted  of 
dancing  and  a  grand  march  by  the  members  and  their  ladies.  Music 
was  furnished  by  Benson's  orchestra  of  Chicago.  Don  Bestor,  a  former 
Mendota  resident,  presided  at  the  piano. 

The  dedication  ceremonies  were  not  considered  complete  without 
a  theatrical  show  of  some  kind.  Therefore  on  February  27  the  new 
auditorium  was  opened  to  the  public  with  a  capacity  crowd,  the  at- 
traction, "The  Beggars  Opera".  The  cast  was  composed  entirely  of  Eng- 
lish actors  direct  from  England.  There  was  a  wide  variation  of  opinion 
as  to  the  merits  of  the  show.    If  you  could  understand  English  accent 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


429 


including  Cockney  you  would  no  doubt  have  enjoyed  it;  a  great  many 
were  disappointed. 

One  of  the  highlights  during  the  twenties  was  an  Elks  Circus  con- 
ducted in  1925.  This  was  put  on  by  the  Joe  Bren  Co.  of  Chicago  who 
had  in  their  employ  two  enterprising  young  men,  Charles  Correll  and 
Freeman  Gosden,  known  better  as  Amos  and  Andy  of  Radio  fame. 

Mendota  Elks  lodge  has  always  taken  a  leading  part  in  social  and 
community  welfare.  The  Mendota  Community  Hospital  building  fund 
originated  within  the  Elks  lodge  under  the  leadership  of  the  late  Otto 
J.  Ellingen.  They  made  an  initial  gift  of  $30,000.  To  date  a  total  of 
$63,500  has  been  given  by  the  lodge  to  this  worthy  cause. 

During  the  past  eight  years  the  entire  interior  of  the  Elks  build- 
ing has  been  remodeled  making  it  one  of  the  finest  in  the  state  of 
Illinois. 

The  lodge  has  grown  steadily  in  membership,  the  present  number 
of  members  being  733.  Of  the  61  Charter  members  who  joined  43 
years  ago,  nine  remain  as  active  members  today,  they  are  as  follows: 
Robert  Hallenberg,  John  W.  Dubbs,  R.  E.  Hall,  Fred  Mueller,  Jos.  L. 
Zolper,  Aug.  P.  Schmidt,  Ben  J.  Zolper,  Grover  Sunday  and  John  C. 
Kehm. 

The  present  officers  are:  Exalted  Ruler,  Darrel  Clark;  Esteemed 
Leading  Knight,  Martin  Masear;  Loyal  Knight,  Dr.  W.  E.  McLaughlin; 
Lecturing  Knight,  Harry  Hawke;  Secretary,  Don  Whitmore;  Treas- 
urer, J.  L.  Schaller;  Tiler,  Neil  Pillion;  Esquire,  James  Burch;  Inner 
Guard,  William  Momeny;  Chaplain,  Harold  Potter;  Organist,  Robert 
Ellingen;  Trustees,  G.  A.  Prescott,  A.  B.  Carlson,  J.  H.  Dubbs,  Joe  L. 
Zolper,  Harold  Sonntag. 


LADY  ELKS 

IN  march,  1913,  the  mothers,  wives,  and  daughters  of  members 
of  the  Elks  lodge  met  in  the  Elk's  club  rooms  which  at  that  time  were 
above  the  room  now  occupied  by  the  Kanteen.  The  object  of  this 
meeting  was  to  organize  a  social  club  for  the  ladies. 

Mr.  Hallenberg  took  charge  of  the  meeting  and  instructed  the 
ladies  on  how  to  organize.  The  following  officers  were  elected:  Mrs. 
F.  R.  Bailey,  president;  Mrs.  E.  Munson,  secretary;  Mrs.  Fred  Mueller, 
treasurer;  Mrs.  Ella  Henry,  vice  president. 

The  entertainment  through  the  years  has  been  card  games.  The 
game  played  has  varied  through  the  years  according  to  the  game  most 
popular  at  the  time. 

The  first  meeting  held  in  the  new  Elks  building  was  on  February 


430 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


15,  1922.  Eighty-two  Elks  ladies  and  guests  were  present  to  enjoy  a 
social  time  and  get  acquainted  with  the  delightfully  pleasant  new  quar- 
ters. 

In  1949  because  of  remodeling  at  the  club  the  Lady  Elks  met  in 
the  homes. 

The  following  have  served  as  president  of  this  organization: 


1913 Mrs.  F.  R.  Bailey 

1914 Mrs.  Ella  Henry  Knauer 

1915 Mrs.  Ella  Henry  Knauer 

1916 Mrs.   Pauline  Weidner 

1917 Mrs.   Rudolph  Witte 

1918 Mrs.   Rudolph  Witte 

1919 Mrs.    Charlotte    Rutt 

1920 Mrs.   James   Ellis 

1921 Mrs.  Arthur  Mclntire 

1922 Mrs.  Steve  Perkins 

1923 Mrs.  Ed.  Moore 

1924 Mrs.    John    Dubbs 

1925 Mrs.    George   Blanchard 

1926 Mrs.  John  Eckert 

1927 Mrs.   Ralph  Madden 

1928 Mrs.  Ed.   Cannon 

1929 Mrs.    Karl   Pohl 

1930 Mrs.   N.   F.   Coss 

1931 Mrs.  0.  D.  Harrison 

1932 Mrs.   Harry  Doty 

1933 Mrs.  Arthur  Mclntire 


1934 Mrs.  Rudolph  Witte 

1935 Mrs.   William    Saunders 

1936 Miss  Harriet  Mclntire 

1937 Mrs.    Rita   Lasswell 

1938 Mrs.  Harry  Moore 

1939 Mrs.  Godfrey  Eichorn 

1940 Mrs.  Orville  Andrews 

1941 Mrs.  Carl  Yost 

1942 Mrs.  Carl  Yost 

1943 Mrs.   George  Gesslein 

1944 Mrs.  Ed.  Gillette 

1945 Mrs.  Ed.  Gillette 

1946 Mrs.  Ed.  Gillette 

1947 Miss  Edith  Miller 

1948 Miss  Edith  Miller 

1949 Mrs.  Ira  Smith 

1950 Mrs.  Ira  Smith 

1951 Mrs.   Harry   Doty 

1952 Mrs.  Maude  Eckart 

The  president  for  1953  is  Mrs.  Frank 
Driver 


KNIGHTS  OF  COLUMBUS 

mendota  council  no.  2090  was  instituted  February  1,  1920,  by 
District  Deputy  John  E.  Cooney  of  Chicago.  The  Rev.  Father  Vincent 
O'Brien  was  appointed  to  act  as  the  first  Grand  Knight  and  served 
until  September  of  the  same  year,  when  in  regular  meeting  the  follow- 
ing officers  were  elected: 


Joseph  Zolper Grand  Knight 

Edw.  Marmion Dep.  Grand  Knight 

John  W.  Dubbs Chancellor 

O.  J.  Ellingen Recorder 

A.  A.  Landgraf Financial  Secretary 

Paul  Stenger Treasurer 

John  P.  Schmitz Warden 


Leo  Coss Inside  Guard 

Mike  Schmitz Outside  Guard 

Wm.  Phalen,  Sr Trustee 

Fr.  Vincent  O'Brien 

Delegate  to  State  Convention 

James  Egan Alternate  to  G.  K. 

Wm.  Leiser,  Sr Alternate  Delegate 


The  Supreme  Council  or  first  Council  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus 
was  organized  as  a  fraternal  society  for  Roman  Catholic  men,  estab- 
lished to  render  aid  to  members  and  their  families  in  the  form  of  in- 
surance, sick  benefits,  relief  work,  and  educational  programs.  It  was 
instituted  in  1882  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  M.  McGivney,  pastor  of  St. 
Mary's  Church  in  New  Haven,  Conn. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


431 


The  society  is  secret,  but  has  no  oath,  and  is  degree  conferring, 
having  four  degrees  of  ceremonials,  representing  Charity,  Unity,  Fra- 
ternity, and  Patriotism.  Insurance  members  are  received  between  the 
ages  of  18  and  50,  (Recently  a  junior  insurance  feature  has  been  added) 
and  associate  and  non-insured  members  from  21  upwards.  In  addition 
to  its  insurance  features,  the  order  is  devoted  to  the  protection  of 
Catholic  interests  and  interests  of  Catholic  men  and  women,  and  aims 
to  propagate  Catholic  doctrine  from  the  platform  and  by  literature. 

It  has  endowed  a  chair  of  American  History  at  the  Catholic  Uni- 
versity of  America,  and  maintains  50  perpetual  free  scholarships  there. 
The  observance  of  Columbus  Day  is  due  largely  to  the  concerted  efforts 
of  the  members. 

Branches  of  the  order  like  Mendota  Council  exist  in  every  state 
and  territory  of  the  continental  United  States,  as  well  as  Canadian 
provinces,  Newfoundland,  Alaska,  Cuba,  The  Canal  Zone,  Panama,  the 
Philippine  Islands,  Mexico  and  Puerto  Rico.  The  Order  had  a  total 
membership  of  850,000  in  1952.  In  the  same  year  it  had  in  force  in- 
surance certificates  of  $371,269,821.  and  a  reserve  fund  of  $73,000,000. 

In  1928  the  organization  founded  the  Columbian  Squires  for  boys 
14  to  18  years  of  age.  There  are  approximately  now  2945  subordinate 
councils  and  represented  by  61  state  councils. 

Charitable  activities  include  endowment  facilities  in  Catholic  hos- 
pitals, a  "million  dollar"  Catholic  scholarship  fund  for  children  of 
members  killed  or  totally  disabled  in  World  War  II,  post  war  activities 
committees,  financial  grants,  and  contributions  to  educational  and  other 
sources. 

The  present  officers  of  Mendota  Lodge  are:  Leo  Glaser,  Past 
Grand  Knight;  Leo  Hochstatter,  Grand  Knight;  Ray  Happ,  Dep.  Grand 
Knight;  Urban  Henry,  Financial  Sec'y;  Leonard  Henkel,  Treasurer; 
Robert  Mclntyre,  Warden;  Leo  Burkardt,  Chancellor;  Emmett  Walzer, 
Recorder;  Leonard  Schmidt,  Advocate;  Leo  Weber  and  Otto  Harth, 
Guards;  L.  M.  Dinges,  Lecturer;  Paul  Jones,  Leo  Schmidt,  and  Leo 
Glaser,  Trustees;  Fr.  Paul  Hettinger,  Chaplain. 

Meetings  are  held  each  second  and  fourth  Tuesday  of  the  month, 
at  the  K.  of  C.  Home  on  North  Main  street,  which  was  purchased  by 
Council  members  several  years  ago. 

MENDOTA  WOMAN'S  CLUB 

this  club  WAS  organized  March  15,  1897,  at  the  home  of  Mrs. 
N.  C.  Cummings.  Twelve  women  had  answered  the  call  for  "organizing 
a  society  for  mutual  improvement  and  creating  an  organized  center  of 


432 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


thought  and  action  among  women."  There  were  16  charter  members. 
Mrs.  E.  S.  Browne,  wife  of  Mendota's  mayor,  was  elected  president 
and  a  constitution  was  drawn  up.  The  members  voted  to  meet  weekly 
at  the  homes  of  members  and  to  take  up  art,  history,  literature  and 
science  for  "cultural  improvement." 

We  may  certainly  consider  the  members  of  this  club  of  56  years 
ago  very  brave  women  on  several  counts.  They  met  in  the  evening; 
street  lighting  was  very  poor  and  even  non-existent  in  some  parts  of 
the  town;  sidewalks  were  primitive  affairs,  partly  of  wood;  crossings 
likely  to  be  knee  deep  in  mud,  snow,  or  dust,  as  very  few  roads  were 
improved;  and  husbands  of  that  day  were  usually  unsympathetic  to 
the  Woman's  club  movement.  However,  this  little  band  of  women 
persevered,  brought  their  club  into  membership  with  the  state  federa- 
tion within  two  months,  and  created  an  active  organization  which  has 
been  a  power  and  influence  in  Mendota. 

Another  mayor's  wife,  Mrs.  Newton  Imus,  was  an  early  president 
of  the  club.  All  through  the  years,  we  find  women  of  local  prominence 
taking  active  part. 

The  field  of  work  of  the  club  has  naturally  changed  many  times. 
These  changes  have  been  motivated  by  the  changing  eras  of  the  20th 
century.    The  club  has  attained  in  1953  a  membership  of  180. 

If  some  of  the  things  the  early  Woman's  club  did  seem  naive  and 
amusing  to  us  now,  let  us  think  that  perhaps  in  the  year  2000  some  of 
our  burning  questions  may  be  equally  so. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  century,  the  Woman's  club  engaged  in 
these  pursuits:  beautifying  the  school  grounds,  distributing  seeds  to 
school  children,  circulating  an  anti-cigarette  petition,  getting  signatures 
to  a  woman's  rights  bill,  presenting  an  anti-spitting  ordinance  to  the 
City  Council,  studying  history  and  art  and  literature.  The  subject  of 
one  program  was  "Decisive  Battles  of  the  World"!  This  is  only  a 
partial  list  of  activities.  The  club  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in 
civic  projects  and  community  service. 

Within  the  last  four  years,  the  club  has  contributed  $700  to  the 
Community  Hospital  building  fund.  Contributions  of  money  and  books 
have  been  given  to  the  library.  For  many  years,  a  scholarship  fund 
was  given  to  the  high  school  and  distributed  as  awards  to  outstanding 
students.  At  the  present  time  an  art  and  a  music  scholarship  are 
awarded  each  year,  enabling  two  worthy  scholars  to  attend  the  summer 
Egyptian  Music  Camp  and  Art  Camp. 

The  club  is  now  divided  into  five  departments  of  work,  namely: 
American  Home,  Art  and  Music,  Civic,  Education,  and  Public  Welfare. 

Members  choose  their  department,   according  to  their  interests, 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         433 


and  thus  are  enabled  to  be  active  in  fields  of  service  for  which  their 
talents  and  concerns  especially  fit  them.  The  club  meets  on  alternate 
Mondays  at  the  Baptist  Parish  House,  with  the  departments  in  turn 
presenting  a  program  at  each  meeting.  In  addition,  each  department 
holds  meetings  of  its  own,  and  decides  upon  its  own  projects. 


THE  MENDOTA  JUNIOR 
WOMAN'S  CLUB 

THIS  CLUB  WAS  organized  under  the  sponsorship  of  the  Mendota 
Senior  Women's  Club  on  March  6,  1934,  with  12  charter  members. 
Mrs.  Selina  Hubler,  who  was  then  president  of  the  senior  club,  became 
the  first  adviser  of  the  Junior  Club  and  continued  in  that  capacity  until 
1937,  when  she  became  honorary  adviser.  The  present  active  advisers 
are  Mrs.  Josephine  T.  Coss,  who  has  been  re-elected  annually  since  1935, 
and  Mrs.  Harvey  Barth,  re-elected  annually  since  1937. 

Quoting  directly  from  its  constitution,  the  object  of  this  club  "shall 
be  the  advancement  of  moral,  educational,  and  social  welfare  of  the 
community".  The  members  have  attained  this  goal  through  their 
programs  which  are  covered  by  three  departments  and  three  permanent 
committees:  Art  and  Music,  Literature  and  Drama,  Community 
Service,  Legislative,  Public  Health,  and  Motion  Pictures. 

The  organization  meets  on  the  first  and  third  Tuesdays  of  every 
month  in  a  club  year  extending  from  October  to  May.  Besides  its 
meetings,  the  Junior  Woman's  club  has  also  sponsored  many  successful 
projects,  annually  contributing  its  profits  to  charity.  The  major 
undertaking  of  the  club  since  1945  is  an  annual  spring  style  show 
produced  through  the  cooperation  of  Mendota  merchants. 

Since  its  beginning  19  years  ago,  the  club  has  continued  to  grow 
in  membership  to  a  present  total  of  61.  During  those  years  the  follow- 
ing have  served  as  presidents  of  the  organization: 

Mrs.  A.  B.   Carlson    1934-1935      Mrs.  Chester  Hyde 1944-1945 

Mrs.  Ronald  Stoner  1935-1936      Mrs.  Albert  Butler,  Jr 1945-1946 

Miss  Marie  Elsesser  1936-1937      Mrs.  Harold  Wise 1946-1947 

Mrs.  Wesley  Yenerich   1937-1938  Miss  Hirrel  Swanson   (Schmidt) 

Mrs.  Franklin  Truckenbrod  .  1938-1939  1947-1948,  1948-1949 

Mrs.  James   Armstrong    1939-1940  Mrs.  Louis  Scheidenhelm   ...1949-1950 

Mrs.  Leon  Frey 1940-1941       Mrs.  Robert  Godfrey   1950-1951 

Mrs.  A.  W.  Whitmore 1941-1942      Mrs.  Donald   Faber    1951-1952 

Mrs.  James  Wagner    )  Mrs.  Delbert  Holland    1952-1953 

Mrs.  John  Goebel  . .  ( 1942-1943      Mrs.  Willis  Snyder 1953-1954 

Mrs.  Raymond   Cook    1943-1944 

434         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


BUSINESS  AND  PROFESSIONAL 
WOMEN 

this  club  was  organized  March  10,  1937.  The  charter  was 
presented  by  Miss  Jane  A.  Magan,  Chicago,  at  the  April  meeting. 
Miss  Myrtle  Beitsch  was  elected  president;  Mrs.  W.  L.  Gish,  first  vice- 
president;  Miss  Lois  Hoerner  (Mrs.  Paul  Gehant),  second  vice-presi- 
dent; Miss  Lorraine  Lasswell,  secretary;  Miss  Adena  Johnson,  treasurer. 

The  purpose  of  the  club  is  to  elevate  the  standards  of  women  in 
business  or  profession;  to  promote  their  interest;  to  bring  about  a 
spirit  of  cooperation;  to  extend  opportunities  and  create  friendship. 

The  club  is  non-partisan,  non-sectarian,  self  governing  and  self 
supporting.  The  National  Federation  has  been  active  over  20  years 
and  has  a  membership  of  over  60,000  women.  The  state  project  is 
the  Celia  M.  Howard  Fellowship,  a  law  school  scholarship.  Besides 
supporting  all  state  projects  the  club  takes  an  active  part  in  any 
local  project. 

The  program  is  divided  into  departments  which  are:  public 
affairs,  legislation,  education  and  vocation,  hospitality,  finance,  inter- 
national affairs,  national  security,  health  and  safety.  One  of  these 
departments  has  charge  of  each  program. 

The  meetings,  preceded  by  a  dinner,  are  held  the  fourth  Thursday 
of  the  month.    At  present  they  are  held  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Ina  Moore. 

Since  the  club  was  organized  the  following  have  served  as  presi- 
dents : 

Miss  Myrtle  Beitsch    1937  (Mrs.  Paul  Gehant)    1944 

Mrs.  W.  L.  Gish 1938  Miss  Mary  Margaret   Zolpher 

Miss  Wilma  Hofert   1939  (Mrs.  James  Highsmith)    1945 

Miss  Mabel   Brown    1940  Mrs.  Harry   Doty    1947 

Miss  Harriet  Mclntire  Mrs.  Alice    Schildberg    1948 

(deceased)    1941  Mrs.  Emmett  Nowlin  1949 

Miss  Helen  Phalen  Mrs.  Victor   Schuhler    1950 

(Mrs.  Headley  Casady)    1942  Miss  Bertha  Kutter   1951 

Miss  Alice  Pottinger 1943  Mrs.  Josephine  Landgraf   1952 

Miss  Lois  Hoerner  Mrs.  Myron  Millett  1953 


P.E.O.  SISTERHOOD 

P.  E.  O.  was  started  in  1869  by  seven  girls  who  were  attending 
college  at  Iowa  Wesleyan,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa.  Their  aim  was  to  form 
an  organzation  to  perpetuate  their  love  and  friendship  for  one  an- 
other. 

With  this  small  beginning  P.  E.  O.  has  a  present  membership  of 
more  than  112,000  with  chapters  in  almost  every  state  in  the  Union, 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


435 


in  Canada,  and  in  Alaska  and  Hawaii.  P.  E.  0.  is  non-partisan  and 
inter-denominational.  Members  must  be  18  years  of  age  and  acknowl- 
edge belief  in  God. 

The  two  main  P.  E.  0.  projects  are  a  student  loan  fund  of  nearly 
$900,000  which  was  established  in  1907  to  assist  young  women  to 
complete  their  higher  education  with  a  view  to  becoming  self-support- 
ing; and  Cottey  College,  located  in  Nevada,  Missouri.  Cottey  College 
was  founded  in  1884  and  was  presented  to  P.  E.  0.  in  1927  by  the 
founder,  Virginia  Cottey  Stockard.  It  is  a  Christian  college,  and  is 
fully  accredited  by  the  North  Central  association. 

P.  E.  0.  executive  offices  are  located  in  the  Memorial  Library, 
a  P.  E.  0.  gift  to  Iowa  Wesleyan  which  was  erected  in  Mt.  Pleasant  at 
a  cost  of  $100,000.  The  library  also  houses  countless  priceless  objects 
of  art. 

The  post-war  activities  of  P.  E.  0.  include  adoption  of  hundreds  of 
overseas  families,  gifts  of  pianos,  radios,  record  players,  film  projectors, 
etc.,  to  veterans  hospitals  and  the  establishment  of  a  department  of 
international  scholarships.  P.  E.  0.  has  an  accredited  observer  at 
U.N. 

The  official  magazine  "The  Record"  is  a  monthly  magazine  printed 
by  the  Wayside  Press  in  Mendota. 

Many  states  have  beautiful  P.  E.  0.  Homes  for  the  comfort  of 
those  elderly  members  who  desire  such  a  residence.  The  recently 
acquired  Illinois  Home  is  located  at  Knoxville  and  was  dedicated  in 
May,  1953. 

Although  each  chapter  is  under  the  jurisdiction  of  its  state  and 
Supreme  Chapter  each  has  its  own  constitution  and  by-laws  regulating 
its  meetings,  membership,  dues,  programs  and  local  activities. 

Chapter  BV,  Mendota,  was  organized  in  1924.  This  chapter  has 
always  been  identified  with  the  civic  affairs  of  the  city.  Besides  con- 
tributing to  the  required  P.  E.  0.  projects  and  sponsoring  five  local 
loan  girls,  they  regularly  support  the  local  library,  the  Kanteen,  Boy 
Scouts,  Camp  Fire  Girls,  the  Red  Cross  and  many  other  worthy  causes. 
They  gave  over  $1,000  to  the  furnishing  of  the  nursery  in  the  Mendota 
Community  Hospital  and  have  continued  to  contribute  to  this  project 
in  various  ways. 

Since  the  dedication  of  the  hospital  they  have  furnished  decorated 
Christmas  trees  for  both  the  reception  room  and  the  second  floor. 
Many  of  the  members  have  given  countless  hours  of  voluntary  service 
in  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  of  the  hospital,  the  Gray  Ladies'  service  and 
nurse's  aids  organizations. 


436 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Tlie  following  have  served  as  president  of  the  Mendota  Chapter 

Mrs.  Mary  Lotts  Mrs.  Florence  Ellis 

Mrs.  Florence  Cook  Miss  Elizabeth  Colson  (Young) 

Mrs.  Alma  Reck  Mrs.  Caroline  Schaller 

Mrs.  Ada  Madden  Mrs.  June  Claus 

Mrs.  Ann  Van  Etten  Mrs.  Wilma  Butler 

Mrs.  Nano  Dubbs  Mrs.  Dorothy  Greenwood 

Mrs.  Adrienne  Faber  Mrs.  Virginia  Potter 

Mrs.  Helen  Scott  Miss  Florence  Goodwin 

Mrs.  Pearl  Schaller  Mrs.  Jane  Jacob 

Miss  Lois  Moore  Mrs.  Mary  Ellen  Lipke 

Mrs.  Alma  Reck  is  the  1953  president. 


KIWANIS  CLUB 

THE  kiwanis  club  was  organized,  November  19,  1923,  at  a 
meeting  held  in  the  dining  room  of  the  Depot  hotel.  Tom  Marshall,  a 
deputy  of  the  Kewanee  Kiwanis  Club,  assisted  in  the  organization.  He 
had  come  to  Mendota  some  weeks  previous  at  the  request  of  representa- 
tive business  and  professional  men. 

Forty-six  men  in  Mendota  had  been  selected  to  form  the  organiza- 
tion.    It  was  a  wonderful  evening. 

D.  J.  O'Connell,  Manager  of  the  Depot  hotel  served  a  fine  banquet, 
and  guests  from  the  Kewanee  Kiwanis  club,  besides  the  district  deputy, 
Tom  Marshall,  were  T.  A.  Curnow,  R.  E.  Taylor,  James  W.  Bradley, 
secretary  of  the  club;  Dr.  G.  H.  Hoffman,  C.  V.  Burnam  and  H.  Detro. 
The  motto  of  the  Kiwanis  club  is  "We  Build",  and  it  was  believed 
the  new  organization  would  work  for  the  betterment  of  Mendota  and 
its  varied  interests.  This  has  proven  to  be  a  fact  for  the  Mendota 
Kiwanis  club  now  nearly  30  years  in  existence,  is  still  going  strong 
and  through  the  years  can  tell  of  many  worthwhile  accomplishments. 

The  first  officers  and  directors  elected  were  President,  Fim  Murra; 
Vice-president,  D.  C.  Tower;  Secretary,  0.  J.  Ellingen;  Treasurer, 
D.  C.  Haskell;  District  Trustee,  John  W.  Dubbs.  Directors  were 
Robert  Allen,  T.  E.  Cavanagh,  Dr.  A.  M.  Ells,  R.  W.  Witte,  Rev.  H. 
Vincent  O'Brien,  W.  F.  Colson,  and  C.  P.  Gardner. 

Attorney  John  W.  Dubbs  was  on  the  program  for  a  speech  and 
also  Senator  C.  P.  Gardner. 

There  were  46  business  and  professional  men  taken  into  this 
new  organization.  Here  is  a  list  of  the  charter  members:  F.  C. 
Lenihan,  K.  W.  Pohl,  J.  Hepburn  Walker,  Fim  Murra,  D.  C.  Tower, 
S.  C.  Cash,  Dr.  A.  C.  Mclntyre,  George  W.  Nisley,  John  D.  Wilson, 
C.  C.  Parks,  J.  H.  Knauer,  Dr.  W.  M.  Wagner,  Ralph  E.  Beebe,  Wil- 
mot  Van  Etten,  T.  E.  Cavanagh,  D.  C.  Haskell,  W.  M.  Colson,  Adolph 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


437 


G.  Tesche,  John  S.  Goebel,  Dr.  B.  N.  Hughes,  Rev.  Wm.  F.  Selk,  Dr. 
J.  C.  Corbus,  Paul  Stenger,  Clarence  W.  Potter,  Charles  D.  Larabee, 
Rev.  A.  M.  Ells,  L.  G.  Knauer,  John  E.  Alexander,  Dr.  Glen  D.  Grogan, 
Dr.  Edgar  C.  Cook,  T.  E.  Moore,  D.  M.  Lotts,  George  E.  Whitmore, 
0.  J.  Ellingen,  Atty.  John  W.  Dubbs,  R.  G.  Cavell,  R.  W.  Witte,  R.  N. 
Crawford,  W.  G.  Van  Etten,  D.  L.  Barnett,  Robert  Allen,  C.  P.  Gard- 
ner, Rev.  H.  Vincent  O'Brien,  A.  W.  Bush,  John  P.  Gallagher,  D.  J. 
O'Connell. 

Only  two  charter  members  remain  as  active  members  of  the  club 
today;  George  Nisley  and  Adolph  Tesche.  John  W.  Dubbs  has  been 
voted  an  inactive  member. 

The  charter  meeting  of  the  local  Kiwanis  club  was  held  in  the  Elks 
auditorium  January  8,  1924.  There  were  about  100  representatives 
from  various  clubs  present  as  well  as  members  from  the  International 
office.  Kewanee,  Rock  Island,  Galva,  Dixon,  Chillicothe,  Aurora  were 
represented.  Gov.  Dan  Wentworth  of  the  national  office  presented 
the  charter  to  Fim  Murra,  president. 

The  Mendota  Kiwanis  club  is  a  member  of  an  international  or- 
ganization known  as  Kiwanis  International,  a  service  organization 
consisting  of  more  than  3,500  clubs  in  the  cities  and  towns  of  the 
United  States  and  Canada  with  a  classified  membership  from  business, 
agriculture,  institutions,  and  professional  life,  holding  weekly  meetings 
with  programs  of  fellowship  and  personal  development  to  create  leader- 
ship for  community  betterment  and  other  worthy  causes.  The  specific 
objectives  of  Kiwanis  International  are  — 

1.  To  give  primary  to  the  spiritual. 

2.  To  provide  opportunity  for  friendships. 

3.  To  encourage  the  practice  of  the  golden  rule. 

4.  To    promote    high    standards    for    business    and    professions. 

5.  To  cooperate  in  maintaining  righteousness,  justice,  and  patriot- 
ism. 

6.  To  develop  good  citizenship. 

Past  presidents  of  the  Mendota  Club  in  order  of  service  are: 

Fim  Murra  George  Nisley  Jake  Spanier 

R.  E.  Beebe  W.  C.  Gish  Austin  Calderwood 

Dr.  A.  C.  Mclntyre  George  Hessenberger  Harold  Dean 

O.  J.  Ellingen  John  Goodpasture  B.  Harry  Reck 

Spencer  Moss  Jack  Lasswell  Lloyd  Doenier 

M.  E.  Steele  R.  W.  Ranney  Asa  Sprunger 

E.  C.  Cook  Elmer  Feik  Kenneth  Sollitt 

John  Turnbull  Henry  Rose  Willard  Johnson 

Rufus  Dewitz  Russell  Carr  Glenn  Lines 

W.  A.  Stauffer  Harold  Goebel  H.  D.  Hume 


438 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Two  of  the  above  have  served  as  Lieutenant  Governor  of  this 
division;  M.  E.  Steele  and  Harold  Dean. 

For  many  years  after  its  organization  the  Kiwanis  club  served 
both  as  a  service  club  and  a  chamber  of  commerce.  It  started  its  career 
by  bringing  the  Inderrieden  Canning  company  to  Mendota.  The  high 
school  band  was  completely  uniformed;  the  teachers  were  entertained; 
additional  parking  spaces  were  planned  for  the  city;  Boy  Scout  troup 
was  organized;  camp  trips  for  deserving  boys  provided;  lyceum  courses 
sponsored;  Easter  Egg  hunt  instigated;  special  auto  given  to  Gilford 
Moss;  Hallowe'en  parties  provided  for  the  youth;  Kids'  Day  sponsored; 
and  many  other  projects  supported  financially  or  otherwise,  such  as 
farmer's  night,  Mendota  Lake  project,  Mendota  Youth  Center,  and 
others.  Eighteen  hundred  dollars  were  raised  last  year  for  worthy 
causes. 

The  club  at  the  present  time  is  in  excellent  condition,  having  60 
members.  The  officers  are  as  follows:  president,  Horace  Hume;  vice- 
president,  Hubert  Crow;  secretary,  Robert  Stafford;  and  treasurer, 
Claude  G.  Radley. 


LIONS  CLUB 

the  mendota  lions  club  was  chartered  November  29,  1938,  by  a 
group  of  26  "then"  young  men  of  Mendota.  For  several  years  the 
membership  was  limited  to  30  in  number  but  has  now  increased  to  an 
active  roster  of  66  members. 

The  Mendota  Lions  club  is  the  only  civic  organization  which  owns 
its  own  club  house,  which  has  also  been  made  available  for  meetings 
of  other  organizations.  It  is  equipped  with  a  complete  kitchen  and 
facilities  to  serve  125  at  one  sitting.  The  club  is  one  of  the  most 
active  civic  clubs  in  Mendota;  its  accomplishments  have  been  legion. 

Immediately  after  its  organization,  it  took  over  the  old  Mendota 
fair  grounds  for  four  years  and  successfully  put  on  a  county  fair.  The 
city  and  surrounding  community  became  vitally  interested  and  the  re- 
sult is  the  present  Tri-County  Fair  association. 

In  1943,  believing  the  youth  of  the  community  should  be  served, 
the  club  arranged  for  rental  of  a  downtown  building  and  with  the 
physical  and  financial  co-operation  of  its  members  and  other  civic 
minded  citizens,  created  the  Mendota  Youth  Center,  familiarly  known 
as  the  Kanteen,  for  the  use  of  teen-age  children.  The  club  has  con- 
tinued to  support  and  sponsor  it  since  its  founding. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


439 


Annually,  for  the  past  five  years,  the  club  has  brought  to  Mendota 
the  Gamma  Phi  gymnastic  circus  from  Illinois  State  Normal  university, 
an  outstanding  attraction.  The  club  has  supported  and  sponsored  a 
Junior  League  baseball  team.  The  community  and  tourists  have  great- 
ly enjoyed  the  shelter  house  and  bath  house  erected  at  Lake  Mendota 
by  the  club. 

The  club  has  earned  by  its  efforts  approximately  $20,000  and  has 
contributed  its  earnings  to  the  Kanteen,  Mendota  Community  Hospital, 
Red  Cross,  Boy  Scouts,  Girl  Scouts,  etc. 


MOOSE  LODGE  NO.  714 

MOOSE  lodge  #714  was  instituted  in  Mendota  February  5,  1926, 
and  grew  to  a  membership  of  nearly  300.  Early  in  1930,  as  with  many 
other  organizations,  membership  dropped  off  and  activity  was  dormant. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1949  Joseph  P.  Stremlau,  Joe  Funfsinn,  Joe 
Weber  and  Adolph  Goubeaux,  so  called  old  members,  called  a  meeting 
and  revived  the  spirit  of  Moosedom  in  Mendota. 

The  Moose  Order  was  founded  nationally  in  1888.  The  order 
was  designed  to  unite  its  members  in  fraternal  bonds  and  together 
work  for  the  "Elevation  of  Society".  The  order  operates  a  vocational 
school  and  home  for  boys  and  girls  whose  fathers  were  members  of 
the  organization.  This  home  is  located  at  Mooseheart,  Illinois.  A 
home  for  aged  dependent  members  is  maintained  at  Moosehaven, 
Orange  Park,  Florida. 

The  local  lodge  now  has  a  membership  of  175. 

The  officers  for  1953-54  are:  George  Cassidy,  Jr.  Past  Governor; 
Carlos  Parsons,  Governor;  Leo  Hochstatter,  Jr.  Governor;  Tom  Kelly, 
Prelate;  Nick  Phalen,  Secretary;  Kenneth  Yohn,  Treasurer;  Adolph 
Goubeaux,  Sergeant  at  Arms. 

The  Loyal  Order  of  Moose  has  a  splendid  record  of  family  protec- 
tion, and  has  generously  served  its  members  and  their  families. 

Meetings  are  held  the  second  and  fourth  Monday  of  each  month 
in  the  Knights  of  Columbus  hall. 


MOOSE  AUXILIARY 

through  the  efforts  of  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  plans  for  a 
woman's  chapter  of  Moose  were  begun.  On  April  15,  1953,  the  organi- 
zation meeting  was  held.     Initiation  was  conducted  by  the  La  Salle 


440 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


chapter  who  also  installed  the  officers.  These  officers  were:  Senior 
Regent,  Margaret  Gillette;  Junior  Regent,  Adele  Parsons;  Chaplain, 
Dorothy  Mealey;  Recorder,  Hazel  Edwards;  Treasurer,  Crystelle  Frost; 
Graduate  Regent,  Beverly  Yohn. 

The  charter  members  for  this  new  organization,  Women  of  the 
Moose,  Mendota  Chapter  No.  766,  are:  Margaret  Gillette,  Adele 
Parsons,  Dorothy  Mealey,  Hazel  Edwards,  Crystelle  Frost,  Beverly 
Yohn,  Veronica  Dickey,  Catherine  Grey,  Kathryn  Biers,  Jean  Bauer, 
Mary  Schlesinger,  Mary  Catherine  Phalen,  Elizabeth  Cassidy,  Francis 
F.  Hochstatter,  Lois  Mealey,  Mary  Stephenitch,  Edna  Yohn,  Viola 
Klein,  Eleanor  Heitmann,  Mary  Kuntzi,  Laura  Balch,  Margaret  Funf- 
sinn,  Dorothy  Michel,  Norma  Gallagher,  Clara  Bierworth,  Evangeline 
Driver,  Catherine  Hahn,  Virginia  Hampton,  Florence  Fitzgerald. 

The  first  meeting  was  an  open  meeting  and  the  ladies  were  enter- 
tained by  the  Moose  lodge. 


GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC 
AND  ALLIED  ORDERS 

the  GRAND  army  OF  THE  republic  was  the  leading  veterans' 
organization  of  soldiers,  sailors  and  marines  who  served  with  the  Union 
Army  during  the  Civil  War.  Founded  in  Decatur,  Illinois,  on  April 
6,  1866,  it  rapidly  grew  into  a  national  organization  and  exercised  a 
tremendous  influence  over  American  life  from  1880  until  about  1910. 

At  the  time  of  its  founding,  the  Civil  war  had  been  over  for  only 
one  year,  and  many  other  associations  of  Civil  war  veterans  were  in 
existence.  Although  there  was  keen  rivalry  among  these  groups  for 
many  years,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  proved  the  strongest 
association  and  was  eventually  recognized  as  the  leading  veterans' 
organization. 

The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  established  in  Mendota  on 
April  25,  1882,  and  had  a  continuous  existence  in  this  community 
for  nearly  55  years  until  the  last  surviving  member,  John  Bellinghausen, 
died  on  January  22,  1935. 

Today,  the  national  organization  is  practically  extinct,  because 
only  one  member,  Albert  H.  Woolson,  106  years  old,  of  Duluth,  Minne- 
sota, is  still  living. 

Five  other  organizations  of  national  scope,  however,  are  affiliated 
with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  are  known  as  Allied  Orders. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


441 


Although  several  of  these  Allied  Orders  have  been  active  in  Mendota 
over  the  years,  none  is  in  existence  at  the  present  time. 

The  following  is  a  history  of  the  various   Civil  War  veterans' 
organizations  as  they  pertained  to  Mendota: 


OUR  COUNTRY'S  DEFENDERS 

The  first  Civil  War  veterans'  organization,  as  far  as  now  known, 
to  establish  itself  in  Mendota  was  Our  Country's  Defenders.  This 
was  not  one  of  the  Allied  Orders,  but  was  an  organization  competing 
with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  its  leaders  at  that  time  hoped 
it  would  become  the  chief  Civil  War  veterans'  organization  —  a 
hope  that  was  not  to  be  fulfilled. 

George  H.  Thomas  Encampment  No.  23,  Our  Country's  Defenders, 
was  organized  in  Mendota  on  February  2,  1880,  and  had  an  active 
existence  here  for  more  than  two  years. 

There  were  30  charter  members  in  the  Mendota  Encampment,  and 
officers  were  elected  and  installed  semi-annually.  During  both  terms 
of  the  year  1880,  P.  W.  Wilcox  was  Commander  and  Charles  J.  Yockey 
was  Adjutant.  Charles  J.  Yockey  was  elected  Commander  for  both 
terms  in  1881,  and  R.  F.  Shipley  and  J.  W.  Penfield  were  Adjutants 
during  the  same  year.  No  officers  were  elected  for  1882,  and  it  is 
probable  that  there  was  considerable  sentiment  for  disbanding  when 
the  time  for  election  arrived. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  held  on 
April  14,  1882,  which  was  apparently  the  last  meeting  of  the  Encamp- 
ment: 

"Commander  Yockey  stated  that  the  object  of  the  meeting  was  to 
take  action  on  the  motion  heretofore  introduced  by  Commander  Wilcox 
to  transfer  the  money  and  property  of  Our  Country's  Defenders  to  the 
post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  when  organized,  also  appropri- 
ating $16  to  pay  for  a  Grand  Army  charter. 

"Moved  that  a  call  be  presented  to  those  present  to  sign  for  a 
Grand  Army  organization.    Motion  carried." 

Shortly  after  this  meeting  of  April  14,  1882,  Our  Country's  De- 
fenders in  Mendota  ceased  to  exist. 


GRAND  ARMY  OF  THE  REPUBLIC 

The  Charter  for  C.  A.  Andress  Post  No.  135,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  was  issued  April  25,  1882.    Thereafter  this  organization  had 


442 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


a  continuous  existence  in  Mendota  for  nearly  55  years  until  the  last 
member  died  in  1935. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  new  Post  was  held  April  28,  1882.  The 
Adjutant  states  that  the  following  men  were  present  for  the  first  meet- 
ing: Charles  J.  Yockey,  William  Parker,  R.  F.  Shipley,  George  W. 
Haar,  M.  D.  Palmer,  William  Conkey,  Henry  Richards,  H.  S.  Williams, 
William  Patrick,  John  Smith,  J.  W.  Stevenson,  W.  H.  Lives  and  Henry 
Eby. 

At  this  meeting,  the  following  were  elected  officers  of  the  new  post 
for  the  first  year:  Charles  J.  Yockey,  Commander;  William  Conkey, 
Senior  Vice  Cmmander;  William  Parker,  Junior  Vice  Commander;  R. 
F.  Shipley,  Quartermaster;  W.  H.  Lives,  Chaplain;  George  W.  Haar, 
Officer  of  the  Day;  and  M.  D.  Palmer,  Outer  Guard.  The  new  Com- 
mander also  appointed  John  Smith,  Adjutant;  Henry  H.  Eby,  Sergeant 
Major;  and  Henry  Richards,  Quartermaster  Sergeant. 

The  second  meeting  was  held  May  12,  1882,  and  the  following  is 
extracted  from  the  minutes: 

"The  Committee  on  By-laws  and  name  made  the  following  report: 
Your  Committee  would  respectfully  report  that  they  would  recommend 
that  the  Post  be  called  C.  A.  Andress  Post  No.  135  in  respect  to  the 
memory  of  Lt.  Col.  C.  A.  Andress  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  this  place. 
Motion  carried." 

At  this  second  meeting  the  applications  of  six  Civil  war  veterans 
were  received  and  all  duly  elected  to  membership,  including  D.  C. 
Andress  and  W.  J.  Pollings,  who  were  listed  in  the  minutes  of  the 
previous  organization. 

The  C.  A.  Andress  Post  No.  135  continued  in  existence  until  Jan- 
uary 22,  1935,  on  which  date,  John  Bellinghausen,  the  last  surviving 
member  passed  away.  During  its  first  35  years  it  was  very  active, 
but  after  death  began  to  take  the  members  more  rapidly,  it  became 
less  and  less  important  as  an  influence  in  this  community. 

Commanders  who  served  the  post  were:  Charles  J.  Yockey,  R. 
F.  Shipley,  Dr.  J.  W.  Edwards,  Edward  J.  Tansey,  M.  D.  Palmer, 
Hubbard  Clink,  George  S.  Scullen,  H.  S.  Williams,  James  Skiles,  Henry 
A.  Buel,  Henry  H.  Eby,  George  W.  Westgate  and  John  Bellinghausen. 

In  the  early  days  of  its  organization,  a  drum  corps  was  sponsored 
by  the  local  post  which  took  part  in  parades  and  other  celebrations. 
Each  year  elaborate  preparations  were  made  for  the  observance  of 
Memorial  Day,  at  that  time  called  Decoration  Day.  The  other  patriotic 
days,  such  as  the  Fourth  of  July,  were  equally  well  observed. 

It  was  largely  through  the  local  post  that  a  Women's  Relief  Corps, 
one  of  the  Allied  Orders,  was  also  organized  in  Mendota.    Later,  it  was 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


443 


also  instrumental  in  helping  organize  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  another 
Allied  Order. 

The  last  Adjutant  was  G.  W.  Orris,  who  served  for  several  years 
until  his  death  in  November,  1930.  The  office  was  vacant  until  the 
next  year  when  B.  J.  Dean,  the  son  of  a  Civil  war  veteran,  was  ap- 
pointed secretary.  At  that  time  there  were  only  three  members  left 
and  one  of  these  soon  passed  away. 

Mr.  Dean  served  as  secretary  under  the  last  three  Commanders, 
and  after  the  death  of  the  last  member,  C.  A.  Andress  Post  No.  135, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  ceased  to  exist  in  Mendota. 


WOMEN'S  RELIEF  CORPS 

Although  only  a  memory  in  Mendota  today,  C.  A.  Andress  Corps 
No.  284,  Women's  Relief  Corps,  was  once  one  of  the  leading  organi- 
zations of  our  city.  Coming  into  existence  about  a  dozen  years  after 
the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  established,  it 
soon  proved  itself  to  be  a  strong  and  forceful  influence  in  the  com- 
munity. 

It  was  this  corps  that  was  responsible  for  the  imposing  monument 
which  stands  today  in  Restland  cemetery.  Through  the  efforts  of  the 
local  corps,  the  monument  was  built  in  memory  of  the  military  and 
naval  forces  here  in  Mendota  who  served  in  the  Civil  war. 

The  inscription  on  the  monument  reads  as  follows:  "Erected  in 
Memory  of  the  Heroes  of  the  Rebellion,  1861-1865,  by  the  Women's 
Relief  Corps,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  the  citizens  of 
Mendota  and  Vicinity." 

Although  the  records  of  this  organization  have  not  been  available 
for  research,  it  is  known  that  many  of  the  members  still  reside  in 
Mendota.  Among  them  are  Mrs.  Mary  Barth,  Mrs.  Lena  Billhorn,  Mrs. 
Susanne  Kohl,  Miss  Florence  Nolan  and  Miss  Lena  Vogler. 

Miss  Nolan,  who  was  president  of  the  local  corps  in  1919,  was 
at  that  time  the  youngest  woman  ever  to  serve  in  this  office.  Mrs. 
Barth  was  a  former  secretary. 

Just  when  the  Women's  Relief  Corps  was  established  here  is  not 
known,  but  it  is  believed  to  be  about  1894. 

As  the  local  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  Post  became  smaller 
by  death  of  members,  the  Women's  Relief  Corps  likewise  became 
smaller.  After  all  Civil  war  veterans  of  Mendota  had  passed  away, 
the  auxiliary  organization  had  too  few  members  to  fill  the  offices 
properly  and  it  was  voted  to  surrender  the  charter  and  disband,  some- 
time in  the  late  1920's. 


444 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


SONS  OF  UNION  VETERANS 
OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 

The  second  of  the  Allied  Orders  to  be  established  in  Mendota 
was  the  organization  now  known  as  Sons  of  Union  Veterans  of  the 
Civil  War,  at  that  time  called  Sons  of  Veterans. 

Mendota  Camp  No.  54,  Sons  of  Veterans,  was  organized  in  1895. 
The  minutes  of  the  local  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  Post  show  that 
a  preliminary  meeting  was  held  on  May  25  and  that  an  organization 
meeting  and  election  of  the  three  principal  officers  was  held  on  June 
8.  Charter  for  the  new  organization  was  issued  on  July  30.  Although 
the  organization  lasted  only  a  few  years,  it  was  quite  active  during 
most  of  this  time. 

The  Roll  Call  of  Members  as  of  July  10,  1895,  lists  the  following: 
George  A.  Dodge,  Maurice  J.  Smith,  N.  J.  Riegel,  Daniel  M.  Scullen, 
George  A.  Scullen,  William  Edwards,  Loyis  H.  Richards,  George  E. 
Welkish,  H.  W.  Koerper,  George  B.  Richert,  John  M.  Sandosky,  Gabriel 
Koerper,  Albert  P.  Wilkins,  George  Riegel,  William  F.  Rex,  Louis  A. 
Rex,  Ed  R.  Tansey,  Harry  H.  Lewis,  Charles  Powell,  George  Failing, 
S.  W.  Bartlett,  Charles  Smith  and  J.  R.  Girard. 

Seven  other  young  men  are  listed  as  having  joined  after  the  camp 
was  organized.  These  were:  Arthur  Edwards,  W.  B.  Palmer,  W.  J. 
Girard,  S.  0.  Girard,  Fay  E.  Winslow,  J.  H.  Wells  and  John  A. 
Morey. 

The  presiding  officer  was  called  captain.  Ed  R.  Tansey  held  this 
office  in  1895,  Maurice  J.  Smith  in  1896,  George  A.  Dodge  in  1897, 
and  J.  R.  Girard  in  1898  until  the  camp  was  disbanded  during  that 
year. 

The  last  meeting  held,  as  shown  by  the  roll  call  of  members,  was 
on  April  25,  1898.  The  minutes  are  not  available,  but  it  is  probable 
that  it  was  then  voted  to  disband  and  to  dispose  of  the  camp  property. 

DAUGHTERS  OF  UNION  VETERANS 
OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 

Although  this  Allied  Order  was  never  established  in  Mendota, 
several  local  residents  have  been  members  elsewhere.  At  the  present 
time,  Miss  Josephine  Nolan,  Miss  Florence  Nolan,  and  Mrs.  Adelaide 
C.  Wylie  are  members  of  May  F.  Woods  Tent  No.  18,  Daughters  of 
Union  Veterans  of  the  Civil  war  located  at  Joliet.  Mrs.  Wylie  was 
fourth  district  patriotic  instructor  in  1948. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


445 


THE  AMERICAN  LEGION 

mendota  post  no.  540  was  issued  its  temporary  charter  March 
4,  1920,  with  the  permanent  charter  being  issued  August  1,  1920,  and 
countersigned  August  10,  1920. 

The  charter  members  in  the  order  they  appear  on  the  temporary 
charter  were: 

John  A.  Klinefelter  Mathew  A.  Burg 

Willard  H.  Castle  Herbert  D.  Waldorf 

Henry  C.  Sturman  John  W.  Schmitt 

Edmund  F.  Mueller  F.  H.  Glahns 

Emory  J.  Munson  Paul  H.  Faber 

Timothy  E.  Vogler  Harry  F.  Schaller 

Burton  P.  Edwards  William  G.  Faber 

Frank  R.  Full  John  D.  Wilson 

Eugene  Mueller  Frank  C.  Lenihan 

William  O.  Auchstetter  Harry  W.  Meisel 

George  W.  Anderson  Henry  G.  Kohl 

Gilbert  S.  Schaller  Harold  J.  John 
Rudolph  B.  Lucas 

Several  others  joined  the  Post  shortly  after  the  temporary  charter 
was  issued,  including  Dr.  Edgar  C.  Cook,  who  became  the  Post's  first 
Commander. 

Twelve  of  the  charter  members  are  still  members  of  the  Post: 
Klinefelter,  Castle,  Auchstetter,  Lucas,  Schmitt,  Paul  H.  Faber,  Harry 
F.  Schaller,  William  G.  Faber,  Lenihan,  Meisel,  Kohl,  and  John. 

Since  the  Post  was  organized  the  following  have  served  as  Com- 
manders : 

Dr.  Edgar  C.  Cook 1920      William  G.  Faber  1937 

Gilbert  S.  Schaller 1921       Walter   Elsesser    1938 

Robert  S.  Black  1922       Ralph  C.  Jacob   1939 

Robert  S.  Black  1923       John  W.  Schmitt 1940 

Harry  F.  Schaller  1924       Rufus  E.  Dewitz 1941 

Norman  K.  Quandahl  1925       George  E.  Mercer  1942 

John  E.  Black 1926       Ralph  E.  Bailey  1943 

Clarence  L.  Ray 1927       Roy  E.  Williams 1944 

Glen  I.  Nixdorf  1928      John  C.  Kehm 1945 

Arch  S.  Spenader   1929      Alexander  E.  Wylie 1946 

Harry  W.  Meisel 1930       John  G.  Conaboy  1947 

Wayne  E.  Perkins  1931       Ilo  T.  Tower   1948 

Raymond  J.  Eckart  1932       Reginald  K.  Robeson 1949 

Laurence  J.  Boyle  1933       Russell  C.   Brecht   1950 

Henry  G.  Kohl  1934      William  M.  Gish 1951 

Clarence  Rogers  1935       Donald  L.  Echelbarger 1952 

William  O.  Auchstetter 1936 

Three  other  Past  Commanders  have  joined  the  ranks  and  are  now 
members  of  local  Post  No.  540.  They  are  C.  H.  Greenwood  of  the 
Kirkland  Post,  Golden  R.  Kerchner  of  the  Wyanet  Post,  and  Harry  S. 
Messmore  of  the  Galva  Post. 


446 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Officers  for  the  year  1953  are  as  follows:  Gerald  A.  Truckenbrod, 
Commander;  Robert  M.  Wilson,  Vice  Commander;  Christ  T.  Troupis, 
Junior  Vice  Commander;  Ralph  E.  Booth,  Adjutant;  Harold  E.  Terry, 
Finance  Officer;  Peter  J.  Donohue,  Chaplain;  Leslie  E.  Gordon,  His- 
torian; Henry  G.  Kohl,  Service  Officer;  Robert  W.  Francis,  Sergeant- 
at-Arms. 


AMERICAN  LEGION  AUXILIARY 

A  group  of  mothers,  sisters  and  wives  of  members  of  the 
American  Legion  met  June  24,  1920,  in  the  parlor  of  the  Faber  Hotel, 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  preliminary  steps  to  organize  an  Auxil- 
iary. At  that  time  Dr.  Edgar  C.  Cook  was  Post  Commander  and  the 
Legion  had  issued  the  invitations. 

Signers  for  the  Application  of  a  Unit  Charter  were: 

Mrs.  R.  H.  Hanson 

Mrs.  Anna  S.  Wilcox  Mrs.  P.  A.  Stenger 

Leone  Roth  Mrs.  Elmer  Gephard 

Myrtle  Beitsch  Mrs.  Norman  Quandahl 

Mrs.  George  Kohl  Mrs.  George  Cummings 

Amanda  Koerper  Mrs.  Fred  Mueller 

Mrs.  Mary  Shipper  Bertha  Vogler 

Mrs.  H.  Meisel  Mrs.  Rudolph  Jacob,  Sr. 

Clara  Schaller  Edgar  C.  Cook, 
Mrs.  C.  G.  Knoblauch,  Post  Commander 

Acting  President 

A  meeting  was  called  in  July  in  the  basement  of  the  Public  Li- 
brary, at  which  time  the  ladies  pledged  their  help  to  the  boys  for  the 
4th  of  July  picnic.  The  reason  for  organization  was  to  assist  the 
Legion  in  all  undertakings. 

August  3,  1920,  the  headquarters  of  the  unit  were  transferred 
to  the  City  Hall  where  meetings  were  held  for  a  number  of  years. 
Later  the  headquarters  were  moved  to  the  upstairs  rooms  of  the  Tesche 
building  on  Main  street  and  at  present  are  held  in  the  American 
Legion  rooms. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  unit  was  held  August  3,  1920  at  which 
time  the  following  officers  were  elected:  President,  Myrtle  Beitsch; 
Vice  President,  Mrs.  Fred  Mueller;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Paul  Stenger; 
Secretary,  Bertha  Vogler. 

February  1,  1921,  the  charter  was  issued  to  Unit  Post  No.  540. 
The  original  chapter  consisted  of  eighty-two  members,  as  follows: 

Bertha  Vogler  Mrs.  Margaret  C.  Potter 

Mrs.  Veit  C.  Schaller  Mrs.  Paul  Stenger 

Mrs.  Mildred  Quandahl  Mrs.  Anna  S.  Wilcox 

Mrs.  Tillie  Meisel  Mrs.  Mabel  Nixdorff 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


447 


Leone  C.  Roth 
Myrtle  M.  Beitsch 
Mrs.  Mary  Shipper 
Mrs.  Gertrude  Full 
Mrs.  Vera  E.  Schilt 
Katherine  E.  Hoye 
Amanda  E.  Koerper 
Mrs.  Mildred  E.  Gephard 
Mrs.  Irene  Flessner 
Mrs.  Myrtle  Knoblauch 
Mrs.  Agnes  Coss 
Mrs.  Minnie  Geiger 
Frances  H.  Full 
Mrs.  Cora  A.  Lenihan 
Mrs.  Katherine  Burg 
Mrs.  Anna  B.  Cannon 
Mrs.  Helen  M.  Paige 
Mrs.  Mary  Mueller 
Minnie  M.  Vogler 
Hedwig  C.  Vogler 
Mrs.  E.  J.  Degenhardt 
Mrs.  Ina  M.  Cummings 
Mrs.  Maggie  T.  Madden 
Mrs.  Dorothy  Yohn 
Kathryn  Coss 
Mrs.  Lucy  Coss 
Hattie  E.  H.  Boyle 
Mrs.  Chas.  Erbes 
Mrs.  Pauline  P.  Jacob 
Mrs.  Lydie  H.  Ruedy 
Martha  M.  Jacob 
Mrs.  Susanna  K.  Kohl 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  Garard 
Mrs.  Chas.  Kehm 
Clara  R.  Schaller 
Mrs.  Bertha  Schaller 
Lena  A.  Vogler 


Linda  Ossman 
Mrs.  Annie  Laura  March 
Mrs.  Cora  G.  Bailey 
Mrs.  John  C.  Kehm 
Miss  Emilie  Sylvia  Kehm 
Mrs.  Katherine  A.  Kraemer 
Irmagard  E.  Kohl 
Mrs.  Alice  J.  Potter 
Mrs.  Minnie  Beitsch 
Mrs.  Minnie  Roth 
Mrs.  Mary  Anna  Zapf 
Mrs.  Katherine  E.  Elsesser 
Mrs.  Gertrude  L.  Easter 
Miss  Helen  M.  Easter 
Miss  Elizabeth  Langlitz 
Miss  Elinda  D.  Kohl 
Mrs.  Henrietta  A.  Faber 
Mrs.  Estella  Tower 
Mrs.  Lucy  E.  Gesslein 
Mrs.  Jerome  B.  Phelps 
Millie  M.  Phelps 
Ruth  March 
Mrs.  Anna  L.  Eckart 
Mrs.  Pauline  Meyers 
Mrs.  Florence  0.  Black 
Luella  L.  Gower 
Josephine  Ellingen 
Blanch  Lenore  March 
Mrs.  Daisy  Crandall 
Mrs.  Bertha  Zolper 
Mrs.  Pearl  Faber  Schaller 
Mrs.  Burton  Edwards 
Mrs.  Josephine  Waldorf 
Lida  Vogler 
Mabel  D.  Madden 
Mrs.  Louise  Lucas 
Miss  Tessie  Zolper 


1923  marked  a  year  of  great  activity  for  the  American  Legion 
Auxiliary,  Post  No.  540.   Officers  at  that  time  were: 


President Mrs.  Bert  Field 

Vice  President Miss  Lena  Vogler 

Vice  President. .  .Mrs.  Wm.  Mortenson 

Secretary Miss  Elinda  Kohl 

Treasurer Miss  Martha  Jacob 


Chaplain Mrs.  Geo.  Kohl 

Sergeant-at-Arms Mrs.  W.  Neff 

Historian Miss  Clara  Schaller 

Organist Mrs.  Ed.  Mueller 


In  May,  the  handsome,  silk  United  States  flag  was  dedicated. 

A  large  bazaar  was  held  November  8,  9  and  10th  to  celebrate 
Armistice  Day,  at  which  $1,209.82  was  cleared.  In  later  years  a  Min- 
strel Show  was  held  from  which  $500  was  cleared. 

From  money  secured  from  the  above,  and  like  projects,  contribu- 
tions were  made  to  Hines  Hospital,  Elgin  State  Hospital,  Dwight  Veter- 
ans' Hospital,  Normal  Cottage  for  the  World  War  orphans  at  Normal, 
Illinois,  and  similar  institutions. 


448 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


In  March  of  1933  the  Post  entertained  the  District  Director,  Mrs. 
Miles  and  on  April  9,  1933,  Mrs.  Melville  Mucklestone  of  Chicago  was 
the  speaker  at  one  of  the  Woman's  Club  programs,  to  which  all  aux- 
iliary members  were  invited.  Mrs.  Mucklestone  was  guest  of  honor  at 
a  luncheon  given  by  the  past  president  and  all  past  presidents  of  the 
auxiliary  were  guests.  At  that  time  a  past  president's  parley  was 
organized. 

In  1944,  with  Mrs.  Maurice  Smith  as  president,  the  post  celebrated 
its  20th  anniversary  at  the  Methodist  church.  A  dinner  was  held  honor- 
ing the  20-year  members  and  at  that  time  each  20-year  member  was 
given  a  pin. 

Each  year  the  Unit  recognizes,  with  an  appropriate  remembrance, 
the  Gold  Star  mothers.    Past  Presidents  of  the  post  are: 


Miss  Myrtle  Beitsch 
Mrs.  Clarence  Potter 
Miss  Clara  Schaller 
Mrs.  Ed.  Mueller 
Mrs.  Bert  Field 
Mrs.  George  Kohl 
Mrs.  Olive  Mortonson 
Miss  Catherine  Coss 
Mrs.  Bert  Field 
Mrs.  C.  E.  Merritt 
Mrs.  Wm.  Faber,  Jr. 
Mrs.  M.  E.  Steele 
Miss  Clara  Schaller 
Mrs.  Josephine  T.  Coss 
Mrs.  Henry  Kohl 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Saunders 
Mrs.  Walter  Elsesser 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Saunders 
Mrs.  Harrison  Paige 
Mrs.  Harry  Cannon 
Mrs.  Harry  Schaller 
Mrs.  Harry  T.  Doty 
Mrs.  Alexander  Wylie 
Mrs.  Raena  Brown 
Mrs.  Maude  Smith 
Mrs.  Forrest  Bankes 
Mrs.  Ralph  Jacob 
Mrs.  Victor  Schuhler 
Mrs.  Harold  F.  Dean 
Mrs.  Nora  Yost 
Mrs.  Frank  Fassig 
Mrs.  Katherine  Coffey 
Mrs.  Harry  T.  Doty 


January  1920 
January  1921    (6  mos.) 
January  1922   (6  mos.) 
January  1923 
January  1925  (2  yrs.) 
January  1926 
January  1927 
January  1928 
January  1929 
November  1930 
October  1931 
September  1932 
September  1933 
September  1934 
September  1935 
September  1936 
September  1937 
September  1938 
September  1939 
September  1940 
September  1941 
September  1942 
September  1943 
September  1944 
September  1945 
September  1946 
September  1947 
September  1948 
September  1949 
September  1950 
September  1951 
September  1952 
September  1953 


The  1953  roster  of  officers  is  as  follows:  President,  Mrs.  Harry 
T.  Doty;  1st  Vice  President,  Mrs.  Fred  Gustafson;  2nd  Vice  President, 
Mrs.  Frank  Driver;  Secretary,  Mrs.  Henry  Kohl;  Treasurer,  Mrs. 
Josephine  T.  Coss;  Historian,  Mrs.  Harold  F.  Dean;  Sergeant-at-Arms, 
Mrs.  Gerald  Truckenbrod;  Chaplain,  Mrs.  Thos.  Coffey. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


449 


VETERANS  OF  FOREIGN  WARS 

September,  1944,  through  the  efforts  of  Wm.  Neilson  and  William 
Faber  Sr.  the  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars  organization  of  Rockford  was 
contacted  in  an  effort  to  start  a  post  in  Mendota.  Two  men  were 
sent  to  Mendota:  Clinton  Spackman  (Sixth  district  commander  at  the 
time)  from  the  Belvidere  post,  and  Norman  Allen  (a  past  sixth  district 
Commander,  and  past  state  Commander)  from  the  Rockford  post. 
These  men  assisted  in  getting  the  foundation  laid  for  organizing 
Mendota  Post  No.  4079. 

Only  a  few  boys  were  back  from  World  War  II;  so  the  initial 
membership  was  mostly  World  War  I  men.  Just  14  men  were  interested 
in  organizing.  But  after  much  thoughtful  planning  these  few  men 
decided  to  go  ahead  with  their  plans  in  the  hopes  of  having  an  active 
post  when  the  boys  in  service  returned.  In  September,  1945,  in  the 
Hotel  Faber  Gold  Room  the  first  Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars  post  in 
Mendota  was  organized. 

The  charter  members  were:  Don  Tower,  Tracy  Tower,  Ralph 
Jacob,  Rudolph  Lucas,  John  Boisdorf  Sr.,  Edward  Yohn,  Wm.  Neilson, 
George  Van  Meter  Sr.,  Wm.  Faber  Sr.,  John  Rutishauser  Jr.,  Jack 
Anderson,  Theodore  Kratz  Jr.,  Claude  Anderson  and  Rheinhold  Oss- 
man. 

The  first  officers  of  the  Post  were:  Theodore  Kratz  Jr.,  com- 
mander; Don  Tower,  Sr.,  vice-commander;  Rudolph  Lucas,  Jr.,  vice- 
commander;  George  Van  Meter,  Sr.,  quartermaster;  and  Ralph  Jacob, 
chaplain. 

The  post  grew  in  members  rapidly  as  boys  returned  from  service, 
and  there  were  soon  76  members.  The  membership  has  increased  to 
225. 

Meetings  were  held  in  various  places  at  first  and  then  the  old  K. 
of  C.  hall  was  rented  and  meetings  were  held  there.  In  1949  this  hall 
was  secured  as  a  permanent  club  room.  The  hall  was  remodeled  into 
a  fine  club  and  meeting  room. 

Past  commanders  are:  Theodore  Kratz  Jr.,  Harold  Foster,  Lam- 
bert Stremlau,  Louis  Sauer,  Clarence  Dobberstein,  Don  Oberlander, 
and  Ray  Cook.    Willis  Snyder  is  commander  at  present. 


V.F.W.  AUXILIARY 

through  the  combined  efforts  of  Commander  of  The  Veterans 
of  Foreign  Wars  Ted  Kratz  Jr.,  and  Mrs.  Alice  Lucas  (deceased)  the 


450         MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Veterans  of  Foreign  Wars  Auxiliary  was  started  May  17,  1946  in  the 
Masonic  hall. 

Mrs.  Harold  Foster  was  elected  first  president.  Mrs.  Signe  L. 
Johnson  of  Rockford  was  the  instituting  officer,  assisted  by  the  Sterling 
color  team  and  conductress  Hazel  Allai. 

At  that  meeting  an  Altar  Bible  was  presented  the  auxiliary  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  Allai  of  Sterling.  Mrs.  Allai  was  formerly  Hazel 
Serven  of  Mendota. 

Eighteen  members  took  the  obligation  that  first  night.  There  is 
now  a  membership  of  84. 

Meetings  are  held  on  the  first  and  third  Mondays  of  each  month. 
They  were  first  held  in  the  Hotel  Faber  Gold  Room,  then  in  the  homes 
until  the  present  Club  Rooms  were  available. 

As  with  all  veterans  organizations  the  Auxiliary's  work  is  to  assist 
veterans,  veterans'  families,  veteran  hospitals  and  helping  maintain  a 
veterans'  home. 

The  following  have  served  as  presidents: 

Mrs.  Harold  Foster 1946  Mrs.  Raymond  Burkhart 1951 

Mrs.  Albert  Love 1947  Mrs.  John  Rutishauser  Jr 1952 

Mrs.  Louis  Sauer 1948  and  1949  Mrs.  Ray  Johnson 1953 

Mrs.  Howard  Brucker 1950 


CATHOLIC  WAR  VETERANS 

archbishop  J.  L.  Spalding  post  No.  1502  was  organized  Septem- 
ber 22,  1947.  A  meeting  was  called  of  all  Catholic  veterans  in  the 
Mendota  area  in  the  V.  F.  W.  Clubrooms,  then  the  K  of  C  hall.  William 
Moynahan,  Chicago,  State  Aide  was  present  and  in  charge  of  organ- 
izing the  post.  Twenty  eight  veterans  of  World  Wars  I  and  II  were 
present  and  signed  as  charter  members.  A  slate  of  officers  was  elected 
with  Louis  J.  Kerns  as  commander.  The  name  of  Archbishop  J.  L. 
Spalding  was  chosen  in  honor  of  the  first  bishop  of  Peoria.  Rev.  Paul 
Hettinger,  pastor  of  Sts.  Peter  and  Paul  church,  Peterstown,  and  chap- 
lain in  the  army  during  World  War  II,  was  chosen  as  post  chaplain. 

Post  membership  included  Catholic  veterans  from  Mendota,  Peters- 
town,  Earlville,  and  Amboy.  The  post  is  part  of  a  nation  wide  organ- 
ization which  maintains  a  legislative  lobby  in  the  nation's  capital  and 
which  has  an  official  observer  at  UN  meetings. 

The  purpose  of  the  organization  is  to  guard  the  rights  and  privi- 
leges of  all  veterans,  protect  our  freedom,  defend  our  Faith,  help  our 
sick  and  disabled,  care  for  the  widows  and  orphans,  assist  those  in 
need,  aid  in  youth  activities,  promote  Catholic  action  and  Americanism 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


451 


and  to  offer  Catholic  veterans  an  opportunity  to  band  together  for  social 
and  athletic  activities. 

The  Catholic  War  Veterans  are  dedicated  to  a  program  of  united 
action  to  promote  the  welfare  of  all  veterans.  The  groups  are  pledged 
to  an  out  and  out  fight  against  atheistic  Communism  and  all  other  isms 
that  are  inimical  to  the  American  form  of  government. 

The  Catholic  War  Veterans  have  been  approved  by  His  Holiness 
Pope  Pius  XI,  His  Holiness  Pope  Pius  XII,  His  Eminence  Samuel 
Cardinal  Stritch  of  Chicago,  and  by  Presidents  Franklin  D.  Roosevelt 
and  Harry  S.  Truman.  They  are  recognized  and  certified  by  the  Vet- 
erans Administration  and  authorized  to  represent  the  claims  of  veterans 
before  the  Veterans  Administration  rating  boards. 

The  Catholic  War  Veterans  Inc.  is  a  Catholic  organization  in  so 
far  as  its  membership  and  principles  are  concerned,  but  it  is  not  under 
the  direct  control  of  either  parish  or  diocesan  authority.  Being  Catholic, 
it  conforms  to  all  Catholic  Doctrine  and  practice.  Chaplains  are  chosen 
by  duly  elected  officers. 

Applicants  for  membership  must  be  American  citizens,  members 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  they  must  have  served  in  armed 
forces. 

The  post  holds  meetings  on  the  fourth  Thursday  of  each  month 
in  the  Holy  Cross  school  hall.  From  the  28  charter  members  in  1947 
the  post  has  grown  to  the  present  membership  of  62.  The  post's  first 
2nd  Vice  Commander,  William  Auchstetter,  was  primarily  responsible 
for  the  rapid  increase  in  membership. 

Louis  Kerns  served  as  commander  during  the  first  two  years. 
Efforts  during  his  term  were  directed  towards  increased  membership 
and  raising  funds  for  post  colors.  The  post  immediately  joined  other 
local  veterans  organizations  and  civic  groups  taking  part  in  local  events 
such  as  flag  raising  ceremonies  at  football  games;  Armistice  Day  and 
Decoration  day  programs ;  placing  of  flags  on  veterans  graves ;  military 
funerals;  sweet  corn  festivals,  etc. 

John  Henkel  was  elected  commander  for  the  1949-50  term.  Dur- 
ing his  term  the  post  began  its  sponsorship  of  the  Holy  Cross  basketball 
team,  coached  by  Robert  Faber,  member  of  the  post.  The  post  equips 
the  team  with  uniforms  and  balls,  and  enters  them  in  the  St.  Bede 
parochial  league.  During  the  first  year  of  their  sponsorship  the  heavy- 
weight team  won  the  league  championship  and  first  place  in  the  Peoria 
Diocesan  tournament. 

Paul  Kerns  succeeded  Henkel  as  commander  of  the  post  for  the 
1950-51  term  and  during  his  term  the  first  Holy  Cross  athletic  banquet 


452 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


was  held  honoring  the  athletes  of  the  school.  The  banquet  has  become 
an  annual  event.  The  1951  State  convention  was  held  in  LaSalle, 
Illinois  with  the  local  post  acting  as  co-host  with  posts  in  LaSalle  and 
Peru.  The  post  joined  the  other  local  veterans  posts,  during  his  term, 
in  raising  funds  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  a  room  in  the  Mendota 
Community  Hospital. 

Delbert  Spitz  was  elected  commander  for  the  1951-52  term.  An 
Auxiliary  to  the  post  was  formed  during  this  term.  The  Auxiliary, 
consisting  of  wives,  mothers,  and  sisters  of  the  post  members,  assist  the 
post  at  communion  breakfasts,  basketball  banquets  and  other  events. 

Clarence  Dobberstein,  commander  of  the  post  at  the  present  time, 
is  primarily  responsible  for  the  present  membership  strength.  He  has 
spent  many  hours  contacting  eligible  veterans,  bringing  new  members 
into  the  post  and  obtaining  membership  renewals. 

Father  Hettinger  has  acted  as  chaplain  since  organization.  He 
was  appointed  State  Chaplain  at  the  1951  State  Convention  and  served 
one  year  in  that  capacity.  His  encouragement  and  guidance  have  been 
a  source  of  inspiration  to  the  members  and  the  post. 

The  post  is  active  in  church  functions  and  parish  projects,  and 
cooperative  in  civic  events.  Annual  participation  in  Corpus  Christi 
ceremonies  at  Peterstown,  reception  of  communion  in  a  body  at  desig- 
nated dates  throughout  the  year;  participation  in  the  corner  stone  lay- 
ing ceremony  at  the  Mendota  Community  Hospital;  cooperating  with 
the  local  Chamber  of  Commerce  in  canvassing  for  census,  mobile  X-ray 
units  etc;  establishing  blood  donors  lists  at  the  local  hospital  and  St. 
Mary's  hospital  LaSalle;  and  participating  in  community  affairs  are 
all  part  of  the  Catholic  War  Veterans  program. 

The  post  plans  to  present  an  award  to  the  boy  student  earning  the 
highest  average  in  American  history  and  religious  instruction  at  Holy 
Cross  and  Peterstown  schools.  The  Post  Auxiliary  will  make  a  similar 
presentation  to  the  girl  student  in  each  school  obtaining  the  highest 
average  in  the  two  subjects. 


CATHOLIC  WAR  VETERANS 
AUXILIARY 

February  28,  1952  A  meeting  was  held  in  the  Holy  Cross  school 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Catholic  War  Veterans  auxiliary  of  the 
Archbishop  J.  L.  Spalding  Post  No.  1502. 

Delbert  Spitz,  post  commander  explained  to  the  12  potential  mem- 
bers the  meaning  of  the  Catholic  War  Veterans  organization  and  its 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         453 


history.  Mrs.  Irene  Kowalcyk  of  LaSalle,  who  was  state  aide  and  presi- 
dent of  St.  Hyacinth  Auxiliary,  explained  the  purpose. 

Another  meeting  was  held  March  10  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Paul 
Kerns.  The  following  officers  were  elected:  Mrs.  Phyllis  Spitz,  presi- 
dent; Mrs.  Marion  Burkart,  first  vice  president;  Mrs.  Marge  Murphy, 
second  vice  president;  Mrs.  Camilla  Kerns,  third  vice  president;  Mrs. 
Hildegard  Kerns,  secretary;  Mrs.  Anna  Marie  Stremlau,  treasurer;  Mrs. 
Evelyn  Steil,  welfare  worker;  Mrs.  Dorothy  Dobberstein,  historian; 
Mrs.  Eleanor  Oberlander,  ritual  officer  and  chaplain  aide. 

Trustees  elected  were :  Mrs.  Herman  Nelson,  Mrs.  Patricia  Wagner, 
and  Mrs.  Kathryn  Coffey. 

Father  Paul  Hettinger  was  to  serve  as  chaplain. 

The  new  organization  accepted  the  offer  of  the  use  of  the  Veterans 
of  Foreign  Wars  club  room  as  a  place  to  hold  meetings,  held  the  second 
Monday  of  each  month. 

At  the  May  meeting  Mrs.  Margaret  Schmidt,  Peterstown,  and  Mrs. 
Josephine  Coss,  Mendota,  Gold  Star  mothers,  were  presented  with 
memberships  in  the  auxiliary. 

The  Auxiliary  donates  to  various  projects  and  has  been  active 
in  local  activities  as  well  as  with  state  and  national  projects.  They  have 
sponsored  shows,  public  card  parties,  and  served  meals  for  various 
organizations  of  the  Catholic  church  to  raise  funds  to  carry  on  this 
work. 

Mrs.  Marian  Burkart  is  1953  president. 

Members  of  the  Auxiliary  are: 

Mrs.  Wra.  Auchstetter  Mrs.  Leonard  Schmidt 

Mrs.  Ray  Burkart  Miss  Delores  Spitz 

Mrs.  James  Caveglia  Mrs.  Delbert  Spitz 

Mrs.  Thomas  Coffey  Mrs.  Joseph  Steil 

Mrs.  Forrest  Coffey  Mrs.  L.  J.  Stephenitch 

Mrs.  Clarence  Dobberstein  Mrs.  Donald  Stephenitch 

Mrs.  J.  P.  Gallagher  Mrs.  Richard  Stephenitch 

Mrs.  Melvin  Hoerner  Mrs.  Lambert  Stremlau 

Mrs.  Richard  Jones  Mrs.  Joseph  Stremlau 

Mrs.  Paul  Kerns  Mrs.  Fred  Wagner 

Mrs.  Louis  Kerns  Mrs.  Leslie  Dinges 

Mrs.  Lester  Kerns  Mrs.  Matilida  Hettinger 

Mrs.  Charles  Kuebel  Mrs.  Julia  Sondgeroth 

Mrs.  Thomas  Murphy  Mrs.  Clara  Schneider 

Mrs.  Donald  Murphy  Mrs.  Wilma  Sondgeroth 

Mrs.  Evald  Nelson  Mrs.  Clarence  Dinges 
Mrs.  Donald  Oberlander 


454 


Gold  Star  Mothers 
Mrs.  Josephine  Coss  Mrs.  Margaret  Schmidt 

MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


NAVY  MOTHERS  CLUB 

the  mendota  chapter  of  the  Navy  Mothers  club  of  America  No. 
560  was  organized  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Harry  Elsesser  by  the  state 
organizer,  Mrs.  Emil  Hassley,  of  Ottawa. 

September  18,  1944,  the  first  officers  were  installed  by  Mrs. 
Hassley  and  Captain  Doolittle  of  the  Great  Lakes  naval  station.  The 
officers  were:  commander,  Mrs.  Henrietta  Faber;  first  vice-commander, 
Mrs.  Henrietta  Fassig;  second  vice-commander,  Mrs.  Helen  Trout; 
secretary,  Mrs.  Marie  Tower;  chaplain,  Mrs.  Grace  Brown;  judge 
advocate,  Mrs.  Anna  Knox;  matrons-at-arms,  Mrs.  Pauline  Pry  and 
Mrs.  Mable  Stein;  color  bearers,  Mrs.  Henrietta  Elsesser  and  Mrs. 
Hazel  Michael. 

Twenty-seven  members  signed  the  charter.  At  present  there  are 
53  members. 

The  purpose  of  the  organization  is  to  further  the  welfare  of  all 
boys  in  the  Navy,  particularly  those  confined  in  Naval  Hospitals,  and 
to  supply  little  comforts  and  luxuries  which  add  to  their  well-being 
and  happiness. 

Meetings  are  held  on  the  third  Monday  evening  of  each  month 
in  the  homes  of  the  members. 

The  club  works  hard  at  raising  money  and  making  articles  for 
naval  hospitals.  Sewed  articles  are  also  sent  to  many  veterans  hospitals 
in  Illinois.  They  also  support  community  projects  and  give  annually  to 
many  worthwhile  state  and  national  projects.  All  money  received  from 
their  annual  tag  day  is  used  for  service  men  and  women  in  hospitals 
and  any  needing  assistance  while  in  our  city.  With  money  realized 
from  these  tag  days,  the  Navy  Mothers  have  been  able  to  purchase 
many  valuable  gifts  and  to  make  generous  cash  donations.  Sons  in 
service  are  sent  gifts  on  their  birthdays.  Five  dollars  is  sent  to  any 
Mendota  sailor  boy  if  he  is  hospitalized. 

Mrs.  Henrietta  Faber,  Mrs.  Henrietta  Fassig,  Mrs.  Helen  Trout, 
Mrs.  Grace  Brown,  Mrs.  Sylvia  Preston,  Mrs.  Ila  Westerman,  and 
Mrs.  Rose  Gish  have  served  as  commanders.  Mrs.  Alma  Sibigtroth 
is  serving  at  the  present  time. 

Those  eligible  for  membership  are  mothers  of  boys  who  have  been 
or  are  in  the  United  States  Navy,  Naval  Reserves,  Seabees,  Marines, 
or  Coast  Guard. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


455 


CAMP  FIRE  GIRLS 

organized  and  incorporated  in  1912,  the  credit  is  largely  due  to 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Luther  Gulick,  whose  philosophy  of  living  with  their 
family  of  girls  permeated  the  ideals  of  the  Camp  Fire  program.  With 
their  daughters  they  appreciated  the  value  of  creative  activities,  making 
fun  out  of  house  work,  association  with  the  out-of-doors  and  participa- 
tion in  sports.  They  adroitly  wove  all  of  these  things  together  with 
Indian  lore  and  symbolism.  Above  all  they  taught  them  reverence  for 
their  creator  and  gave  them  the  watchword  of  Camp  Fire :  work,  health, 
and  love.    Friendship  and  loyalty  were  stressed. 

Later  the  little  sister  organization,  the  Blue  Birds,  was  set  up. 
Little  girls  of  seven  began  with  supervised  play  centering  around  the 
home.  Group  consciousness  and  good  citizenship  was  developed  from 
their  association  with  each  other.  When  the  Blue  Bird  reached  the 
age  of  ten  she  could  "fly  up"  to  Camp  Fire  Girls. 

In  Mendota  the  first  group  of  Camp  Fire  Girls  was  started  in  1914 
with  Miss  Mildred  Faber  as  the  guardian.  They  were  called  the 
"Onaway"  group.  It  was  composed  of  the  following  members:  Hazel 
Mae  Nisley  Reese,  Lucile  Potter  Holliston,  Gladys  Lamberton,  Cleo 
Murphy  Maus,  Florence  Bates  Cook,  Florence  Lewis  McGown,  Marie 
Bailey  Tower,  Marie  Bierwirth,  Georgia  Kliyla  Niebergal,  (deceased) 
Helen  Miller  (deceased),  and  Gertrude  Cavell.  The  group  was  active 
until  1917. 

In  1916  Miss  Mary  Coffey,  history  teacher  of  Blackstone  high  school, 
organized  the  "Atodnem"  Camp  Fire  Girls.  She  was  assisted  by  Pearl 
Faber  Schaller  and  Isabel  Pohl.  The  members  consisted  of:  Adrienne 
Fassett  Faber,  Linda  Kohl,  Esther  Crawford  James,  Elizabeth  Colson 
Young,  Virginia  Haskel  Skinner,  Sophia  Lucas,  Edith  Shaw  (deceased), 
Henrietta  Kanner  Faber,  Edna  Grosch  Morehouse,  Helen  Schildberg 
Dayton,  and  Clara  Powell  Beatty.    For  three  years  they  were  active. 

Josephine  Tower  Coss  and  Miss  Lila  Powell  each  sponsored  a 
large  group  of  girls,  started  in  1936.    They  were  active  until  1940. 

The  flame  of  the  fire  was  determined  not  to  die  completely.  It 
was  revived  in  1951.  The  organization  was  sponsored  by  the  Public 
Welfare  Department  of  the  Women's  Club  of  Mendota.  It  was  the  out- 
growth of  a  desire  expressed  by  many  little  girls  to  have  some  similar 
group  such  as  the  Boy  Scouts. 

The  nucleus  from  which  this  organization  grew  was  a  committee 
of  five  women  composed  of  Mrs.  C.  W.  Ekstrom,  chairman;  Mrs.  R. 
H.  Musick,  Mrs.  Robert  Ellingen,  Mrs.  Ed  Lorack  and  Mrs.  William 
Stockus. 


456 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Mrs.  Charles  Small  of  Princeton,  district  director,  assisted  in 
setting  up  the  program  and  instructing  the  leaders.  The  leaders  were 
interested  parents  of  Lincoln,  Blackstone  and  Holy  Cross  schools. 
Women  who  were  not  parents  but  interested  in  children  gave  their  sup- 
port, too.  By  spring  of  the  first  year  there  were  170  happy,  busy  girls 
in  this  new  enterprise.    The  enrollment  has  grown  to  225. 

The  following  summer  a  program  of  directed  activities  in  handi- 
crafts, games  and  singing  was  conducted  by  Mrs.  Small. 

For  the  past  two  years  the  Boy  Scouts  and  Camp  Fire  Girls  have 
cooperated  in  the  production  of  a  pageant.  This  occurs  in  February 
to  commemorate  the  birthday  of  Boy  Scouts  and  involves  the  training 
and  direction  of  500  children. 

To  be  a  worthwhile  citizen  is  one  of  the  objectives.  The  girls 
have  participated  in  several  community  projects.  For  the  past  two 
years  they  have  dyed  Easter  eggs  for  the  community  easter  egg  hunt. 
Last  spring  they  distributed  city  maps  to  Mendota  homes.  In  co- 
operation with  the  Lions  club  they  sold  all  the  tags  for  the  Cancer 
Fund.  Every  group  has  helped  in  making  tray  favors  for  the  Com- 
munity Hospital  and  the  Lutheran  Home. 

The  leaders  and  standing  committee  saw  the  need  for  more  sup- 
port in  the  program  as  the  size  of  the  groups  grew  far  beyond  expec- 
tations. Miss  Janet  Murray,  field  adviser,  came  to  Mendota  and  gave 
instructions  on  how  to  form  a  council.  Chris  Troupis  was  elected 
president,  Mrs.  Carl  Ekstrom,  vice-president  and  Mrs.  Peter  Cresto, 
secretary-treasurer.  The  Council  now  takes  full  responsibility  for 
finance,  getting  new  leaders,  instructing  leaders  and  maintaining  a  com- 
munity awareness  for  full  cooperation  in  the  program. 


BOY  SCOUTS 

the  boy  scouts  OF  America  was  chartered  by  Congress  in 
February,  1910. 

In  1915  the  first  Scout  troop  was  organized  in  Mendota,  by  a 
group  of  parents.  This  troop  continued  until  September,  1915,  when 
its  leader  left  for  service  in  the  army  during  World  War  I.  It  was 
reorganized  in  the  fall  of  1917  and  continued  until  1923,  when  it  was 
again  discontinued  because  of  a  lack  of  interest  on  the  part  of  any 
sponsoring  group.  In  1925,  another  troop  was  organized  and  con- 
tinued for  two  years  until  its  leader  moved  from  the  city. 

In  1928,  a  La  Salle  county  group,  realizing  the  need  of  a  stable 
organization  for  the  promotion  of  the  Boy  Scout  program,  organized 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


457 


the  Starved  Rock  council  and  employed  a  full  time  professional  Scout 
executive  to  organize  troops  and  train  leaders,  that  the  Scout  program 
might  be  a  continuous  force  for  good  in  the  lives  of  boys  throughout 
the  county.  Several  Mendota  citizens  took  a  prominent  part  in  this 
move  and  were  influential  in  the  organization  of  this  Council. 

At  this  time  the  first  Scout  troop,  under  the  council  plan  was 
organized  in  Mendota  by  the  Mendota  Post  of  the  American  Legion. 
Soon  after,  a  second  troop  was  organized  by  the  Elks  club. 

At  present  there  are  four  Scout  troops,  two  Cub  packs,  and  one 
Explorer  Post  in  operation  in  Mendota. 

The  four  Scout  troops  are:  Troop  101,  sponsored  by  the  Men's 
Brotherhood  of  the  Lutheran  church;  Troop  102,  sponsored  by  the 
Holy  Cross  school;  Troop  104,  sponsored  by  the  Men's  Fellowship  of 
the  Baptist  church;  and  Troop  106,  sponsored  by  the  Men's  Fellowship 
of  the  Methodist  church. 

The  two  Cub  packs  (the  Scouts  kid  brothers)  comprised  of  boys 
ages  eight  to  eleven,  are:  Cub  Pack  108,  sponsored  by  the  Lincoln 
School  Parent  Teachers  association;  and  Cub  Pack  109,  sponsored  by 
the  Blackstone  Parent  Teachers  association. 

The  Explorer  Post  (the  Scouts  older  brothers)  comprised  of  boys 
over  14  years  of  age,  is  Explorer  Post  110,  which  was  formerly  Scout 
troop  110,  and  has  been  sponsored  by  the  Mendota  Post  of  the  Ameri- 
can Legion  continuously  since  its  organization  in  1928. 

At  the  present  time  there  are  approximately  250  boys  enrolled  in 
these  Scout  units,  with  25  men  and  women  leaders. 


HOME  BUREAU 

the  mendota  unit  of  the  Home  Bureau  was  organized  in  the  fall 
of  1920  by  a  group  of  about  ten  ladies. 

The  meeting  was  held  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Philip  Yenerich.  Of- 
ficers elected  were  Mrs.  Ursula  Setchell,  director;  Mrs.  Ed  Brum,  vice- 
director;  Mrs.  Samuel  Beetz,  secretary;  and  Mrs.  Dana  Miller,  treasurer. 

Meetings  are  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  each  month  with  the 
exception  of  August  at  which  time  a  family  picnic  is  held.  There  is 
also  a  family  party  once  each  winter.  For  many  years  meetings  were 
held  in  the  homes  but  as  the  unit  grew  it  was  necessary  to  find  a  larger 
place.    At  present,  meetings  are  held  in  the  Masonic  Hall. 

The  object  of  this  organization  is  the  promotion  and  development 
of  home  making  and  community  life.     During  the  years  almost  all 


458 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


phases  of  home  making  have  been  covered,  but  still  new  and  interesting 
methods  are  being  developed. 

The  Home  Bureau  has  taken  an  active  part  in  community  affairs. 
Many  years  ago  a  pageant  depicting  Home  Bureau  activities  was  pre- 
sented at  the  Mendota  Fair.  Benefit  suppers  were  served  for  the  Fair 
association  with  as  many  as  1200  served  in  one  year.  The  most  im- 
portant project  sponsored  by  the  Home  Bureau  is  the  Girls  4-H  club. 

The  following  have  been  active  in  the  organization  since  its  begin- 
ning: Mrs.  Samuel  Beetz,  Mrs.  Laura  Waldorf,  Mrs.  Dorsey  Deaner 
and  Mrs.  Dana  Miller. 

There  are  now  45  members  in  the  Mendota  unit. 

The  officers  for  1953  are,  Mrs.  Harold  Scheidenhelm,  director; 
Mrs.  Clayton  Minch,  vice-director;  Mrs.  Nora  Yost,  secretary  and 
treasurer;  Mrs.  Edward  Gordon,  program  chairman;  Miss  Edith  Miller, 
recreation  chairman;  Mrs.  Glen  Lines,  4-H  club  leader. 


LINCOLN  P.TA. 

at  Lincoln  school  a  home  and  school  organization  was  started 
in  1918.  Meetings  were  held  on  the  third  floor  of  the  old  Lincoln 
school,  and  as  there  was  no  electricity  available  on  this  floor  the  mem- 
bers brought  lamps  and  lanterns  to  furnish  light.  Refreshments  were 
always  served  at  the  close  of  each  meeting,  a  custom  which  is  still 
observed. 

Mrs.  Charles  Erbes  was  the  first  president.  The  first  project  of 
this  organization  was  the  mid-morning  serving  of  milk  to  the  children, 
especially  those  under  weight. 

Milk  was  bought  by  the  gallon  and  taken  to  the  school  and  bottled 
by  a  committee  of  mothers.  Each  week  a  different  group  did  the 
work.  After  three  years  the  dairies  agreed  to  bottle  and  deliver  the 
milk.      Milk  is  still  available  to  students  in  the  lower  grades. 

In  about  1921  this  organization  became  known  at  the  Parent 
Teacher  organization  and  joined  the  state  and  national  association, 
with  which  it  is  still  affiliated. 

Other  projects  of  the  P.T.A.  have  been  purchasing  playground 
equipment,  rain  coats  for  the  patrol  boys,  assisting  in  buying  band 
instruments  and  refurnishing  the  Kindergarten  room. 

Each  month  a  room  award  is  given  to  the  room  with  the  highest 
percentage  of  parents  and  friends  attending  the  meeting.  Each 
Christmas  a  tree  is  provided  for  the  school  and  treats  furnished  for 
all  the  students. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


459 


In  recent  years  Lincoln  P.T.A.  has  sponsored  a  Cub  Scout  troop. 

The  following  have  served  as  presidents : 

Mrs.  Elmer  Beitsch 
Mrs.  Charles  Erbes  Mrs.  Robert  Cummings 

Mrs.  Roy  Morrill  Mrs.  Virgil  Scott 

Mrs.  Olive  Mortonson    (Cook)  Mrs.  Nora  Yost 

Mrs.  Lewis  Larson  Mrs.  Phoebe  Loach 

Mrs.  Hugh  Kibler  Mrs.  Elmer  Brown 

Mrs.  Frank  Fassig  Mrs.  Harold  Owens 

Mrs.  Charles  Salander  Mrs.  Ada  Truckenbrod 

Mrs.  Clarence  Gilman  Mrs.  Earl  Yost 

Mrs.  Gwen  Heininger  Mrs.  R.  W.  McKenzie 

Mrs.  Wm.  Faber  Mrs.  Lloyd  Doenier 

Mrs.  Forrest  Fahler  Mrs.  Marvin  Schlesinger 

Mrs.  H.  W.  Mauntel  Mrs.  Albert  Pohl 

For  the  year  1953-1954  a  custom  of  long  standing  has  been  broken 
and  a  father,  J.  D.  Wheeler,  was  elected  president. 


BLACKSTONE  PXA. 

A  parent  teacher  group  called  "The  Home  and  School  Organiza- 
tion" was  begun  at  Blackstone  school  March  15,  1918. 

Professor  Snapp  acted  as  chairman  at  this  first  meeting  when  the 
following  officers  were  elected:  Mrs.  Harry  Wright,  president;  Mrs. 
Amos  Rutt,  vice  president;  Mrs.  Charles  McCray,  secretary;  and  Mrs. 
George  Niebergall,  treasurer.  Twenty-nine  signed  the  first  member- 
ship roll. 

The  year  closed  with  an  all  day  picnic  with  about  400  present. 

In  1919  the  group  began  its  first  big  project,  furnishing  a  rest 
room  for  teachers.  In  May  that  year  Lincoln  and  Blackstone  Home 
and  School  organizations  met  at  the  high  school  for  a  joint  meeting. 
These  joint  meetings  were  held  every  other  month. 

Each  year  the  dads  sponsor  one  meeting,  the  first  one  was  in  1921. 

At  a  joint  meeting  on  June  18,  1921,  a  new  constitution  was  a- 
dopted  and  the  organizations  became  known  as  "The  Parent  Teacher 
Association"  and  were  affiliated  with  the  state  and  national  association. 

Serving  milk  to  the  school  children  was  the  major  proejct  at  the 
time  of  organization.  Many  activities  have  been  carried  on  through 
the  years  to  raise  the  money  to  carry  on  this  project  and  the  many 
others  that  presented  themselves. 

In  1928  the  two  P.T.A.  organizations  were  hosts  to  the  district 
conference  with  five  counties  represented. 

In  1931  Blackstone  withdrew  from  the  state  association  and  has 
since  acted  as  an  independent  group. 


460 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


A  Cub  Scout  troop  is  sponsored  by  Blackstone  P.T.A.  It  was 
begun  in  1945  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  Dallas  Wulf.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  William  Nashold  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Goebel  have  done 
splendid  work  as  leaders.  This  parent-teacher  organization  has  always 
been  ever  ready  to  help  by  giving  library  books,  purchasing  movie  or 
playground  equipment,  or  giving  a  decorated  christmas  tree  and  treat 
to  the  pupils. 

After  plans  were  completed  for  a  new  school  building  the  P.T.A. 
held  open  house  for  all  friends  of  "Old  Blackstone." 


HOLY  CROSS  MOTHERS  CLUB 

the  holy  cross  mothers  club  was  organized  in  October,  1946, 
with  Mrs.  Raymond  Lipke  as  president;  Mrs.  Leo  Hochstatter,  vice 
president;  Mrs.  Ethel  Massey,  secretary;  and  Mrs.  Elsie  Gorman, 
treasurer. 

The  club  is  comprised  of  mothers  having  children  attending 
Holy  Cross  school. 

The  pastor  of  Holy  Cross  church,  Msgr.  Leo  Wissing,  is  the  spirit- 
ual adviser  and  counselor  of  the  club. 

Meetings  are  held  the  first  Monday  of  each  month.  At  the  present 
time  the  membership  is  88. 

The  objects  of  this  club  are:  promotion  of  mutual  understanding 
between  parent  and  teacher,  stimulation  of  the  desire  of  each  member 
to  be  of  service  in  promoting  the  educational  and  spiritual  advantages 
of  Holy  Cross  School,  and  supplying  funds  to  better  equip  the  school. 

The  biggest  project  each  year  is  the  hot  lunch  program.  In  the 
beginning  the  meals  were  prepared  and  served  by  the  mothers.  Now 
two  ladies  are  in  charge  of  the  meals  and  the  serving  is  done  by  the 
eighth  grade  girls.  Other  projects  are  sponsoring  patrol  boys,  acci- 
dent insurance  for  children  while  at  school,  basketball  with  its  needed 
equipment,  and  serving  a  breakfast  for  the  children  on  First  Friday. 

A  film  projector  and  films,  playground  and  school  room  equip- 
ment, as  well  as  equipment  for  the  hot  lunch  program  have  been  pur- 
chased by  the  club.  Each  year  $100  is  given  for  school  room  materials 
such  as  maps  and  globes.  At  each  meeting  the  room  having  the  most 
mothers  present  is  given  $2  for  its  own  use. 

Besides  taking  care  of  the  needs  of  the  school  the  Club  also  con- 
tributes to  civic  affairs  such  as  the  Mendota  Community  Hospital, 
Camp  Fire  Girls,  Boy  Scouts,  and  Red  Cross. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


461 


MENDOTA  ATHLETIC  BOOSTER 
SOCIETY  (MABS) 

it  was  A  cold  blustery  day  at  a  track  meet  in  Ottawa  in  the 
spring  of  1946.  The  plain-shirted  Mendota  track  stars  were  doing 
their  very  best  under  existing  conditions. 

At  this  track  meet  interested  local  fans  saw  the  need  for  an  organ- 
ization to  promote  "the  encouragement  of  better  athletics  and  better 
sportsmanship  in  the  community." 

The  Mendota  Athletic  Booster  Society  "grass-roots"  were  really 
formed  at  a  dinner  in  a  small  tea  room  in  South  Ottawa  after  the  above 
mentioned  track  meet.  In  attendance  at  this  dinner  were  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kenneth  B.  Butler,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  LeRoy  Faber  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  Chris  Serup  who  originated  the  club  and  selected  the  MABS  name. 
Ideas  for  forming  and  naming  the  new  athletic  organization  was  the 
complete  subject  of  conversation  all  through  the  dinner  hour  and  during 
the  drive  home  to  Mendota.  An  objective  in  naming  the  club  was  to 
have  the  initial  Letter  of  each  word  in  the  name  so  the  complete  initials 
would  spell  a  word  —  MABS  was  the  result. 

In  the  spring  of  1946  Chris  Serup  was  asked  to  M.C.  the  athletic 
banquet  at  the  Mendota  Township  high  school.  This  presented  an 
opportunity  to  present  the  MABS  idea.  Ken  Butler  was  called  upon 
to  introduce  the  new  club,  to  the  athletic  fans.  Favorable  reaction 
followed  and  on  August  19,  1946,  a  preliminary  organization  meeting 
was  held.  In  attendance  were  Kenneth  Butler,  LeRoy  Faber,  Elmer 
Beitsch,  James  Dubbs,  Alfred  Jacob,  Gale  Clinite,  J.  Chris  Serup. 
Plans  were  made  and  James  Dubbs  was  appointed  chairman  of  a 
nominating  committee  to  present  a  slate  of  officers. 

Chris  Serup  acted  as  temporary  chairman  of  the  first  public 
meeting  to  formally  organize  the  MABS  and  select  a  permanent  group 
of  officers.  In  preliminary  meetings  it  had  been  decided  that  the 
officers  would  not  be  called  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  treasurer 
and  board  of  directors  —  but  to  better  connect  them  with  sports  by 
naming  the  executive  group  as  follows:  Manager,  Coach,  Trainer  and 
Board  of  Strategy. 

Officers  elected  were  George  Elsesser,  Manager;  Martin  "Gabby" 
Masear,  Coach;  Paul  Jacob,  Trainer;  and  the  following  on  the  Board 
of  Strategy:  Pete  Cresto,  Edward  Brown,  Louis  Spenader,  Elmer 
Beitsch,  LeRoy  Faber,  Alfred  Jacob,  Kenneth  B.  Butler,  Chris  Serup, 
Dr.  Dean  Mosher,  Gale  Clinite,  Dr.  B.  C.  Hartford  and  Ivan  Smith. 

The  first  meeting  by  the  new  officers  was  held  September  3,  1946 


462 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


in  the  Mendota  Elks  Club.  James  Dubbs  wrote  the  by-laws.  Briefly 
the  by-laws  stated  the  purpose  of  the  society  is  to  support,  sustain,  ad- 
vance, promote  and  encourage  athletic  events  and  sportsmanship  in 
the  community.  Membership  is  open  to  all  persons  over  the  age  of 
17  who  are  not  students  in  any  of  the  schools  of  the  community  and 
are  interested  in  the  promotion  of  athletics. 

MABS  memberships  have  gradually  increased  from  248  their  first 
year  to  a  present  record  number  of  536.  Dues  are  $1  per  year. 
Most  charter  members  are  still  active.  All  funds  are  expended  ex- 
clusively for  athletic  promotion. 

The  MABS  is  now  in  its  seventh  year  and  have  had  the  following 
Managers  in  the  order  named.  George  Elsesser,  Peter  Cresto,  Robert 
Sonntag,  Gilbert  Truckenbrod,  Chris  Serup,  Harry  Potter  and  Dan 
Heltness.  Through  the  excellent  cooperation  of  all  officers,  school 
officials,  coaches  and  the  public  this  society  has  grown  to  be  one  of 
the  most  active  athletic  booster  clubs  in  existence  today. 

Among  the  many  promotions  sponsored  by  the  MABS  since  its  in- 
ception are  the  following: 

Annual  MTHS  athletic  banquet  honoring  the  schools  athletes  as 
guests,  with  top  rank  university  coaches  or  professional  stars  as  speakers 
and  300-400  in  attendance;  providing  programs  at  athletic  contests 
through  sale  of  advertising;  design  and  construction  of  football  score- 
board at  MTHS  football  field,  building  broadcasting  booth  and  pro- 
viding sound  at  the  MTHS  football  field,  also  sound  for  the  MTHS 
basketball  games. 

The  society  assisted  in  the  sale  of  season  and  reserve  seat  tickets; 
moved  bleachers  annually  from  fairground  to  football  field  to  provide 
extra  seating  capacity;  sold  advertising  and  provided  collection  boxes 
at  football  games  to  originate  a  sizable  bleacher  fund  to  be  used  for 
new  bleachers  at  Mendota  high  school.  The  past  year  this  fund  was 
materially  augmented  through  well  managed  sponsorship  of  two  pro- 
fessional wrestling  shows  in  the  school  gym. 

The  MABS  also  erected  basketball  backboards  and  hoops  at  Holy 
Cross  school,  Lincoln  school,  Blackstone  school  and  on  several  play- 
ground places  throughout  the  city;  promoted  grade  school  interest  in 
sports  and  recognition  of  honorary  awards  to  participants;  helped 
provide  ice  skating  rink;  donated  plaques  to  schools  for  inscribing 
the  name  of  the  basketball  free  throw  champions  each  year  and  also 
presented  a  trojan  head  medal  for  several  years  to  the  senior  athlete 
adjudged  the  most  valuable  athlete  in  all  sports,  Don  Beitsch  being  the 
recipient  of  the  first  such  award  and  Al  Loach  the  second;  provided 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


463 


supplies  and  awards  for  Mendota  sand  lot  baseball  and  our  former 
American  Legion  Junior  ball  club. 

The  club  financially  supports  the  Little  League  each  year;  pro- 
moted swimming  meets  at  Lake  Mendota;  erected  signs  directing 
traffic  to  high  school;  purchased  film  in  1951  and  provided  photogra- 
pher to  film  a  MHS  football  and  basketball  game  to  assist  coaches  in 
training  and  also  for  entertainment  purposes.  From  time  to  time  a  sound 
truck  was  engaged  to  promote  interest  in  games  to  boost  attendance. 

Two  former  MTHS  stars  have  been  honored  after  attaining  suc- 
cess in  the  professional  ranks.  On  Nov.  10,  1946,  a  caravan  of  200 
fans  proceeded  to  Chicago  for  Frank  Seno  day  in  Comiskey  Park,  the 
scene  of  a  Cardinal-Packer  football  game.  Frank  was  a  star  back  on 
the  Cardinal  squad.  In  that  year  he  set  a  record  of  the  longest 
kick  off  return  in  the  National  league.  However,  Frank  Seno  day 
was  not  a  lucky  day  for  the  Cards  as  they  came  out  on  the  short  end 
of  the  score.  Between  halves  the  MABS  presented  Frank  with  a 
traveling  bag. 

On  June  13,  1949,  a  similar  honor  was  bestowed  upon  Don  Whit- 
more  who  achieved  success  in  the  pro  ranks  as  a  baseball  pitcher. 
A  large  group  of  MABS  fans  motored  to  Kewanee  to  see  Don  fling  'em 
for  the  Kewanee  Boilers  who  were  a  farm  team  of  the  Philadelphia 
Athletics.  For  this  occasion  the  MABS  presented  Don  with  a  set  of 
golf  clubs. 

The  by-laws  of  the  MABS  require  at  least  four  meetings  annually. 
Many  special  meetings  are  held  by  the  officers  to  promote  special 
events  such  as  annual  athletic  banquet,  membership  drives,  wrestling 
matches,  etc. 

The  official  emblem  of  the  MABS  is  a  four  leaf  clover  of  solid 
purple  color  and  the  initials  of  the  organization  are  etched  on  a  gold 
background.  Inscribed  in  circle  over  the  top  of  emblem  are  the 
words  —  "Mendota  Athletic  Booster  Society"  —  and  on  a  bar  across 
the  bottom  "To  Encourage  Community  Athletics."  The  MABS  has 
lived  up  to  its  name  and  slogan  in  the  promotion  of  athletics  in  the 
community. 


FUTURE  FARMERS  OF  AMERICA 

the  mendota  chapter  of  F.  F.  A.  was  organized  October  7,  1929, 
by  George  Mercer,  agriculture  instructor  in  the  Mendota  high  school 
at  that  time. 

The  following  names  appear  on  the  charter  which  hangs  in  the 
agriculture  room:  Willard  Austin,  Richard  Betz,  James  Cary,  Donald 


464 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Clark,  Vincent  Coss,  Elmer  Ehlers,  Irvin  Englehardt,  Russel  Fahler, 
Harold  Grosch,  Joseph  Guilfoyle,  Alan  Huss,  Curtis  Hochstatter,  Forest 
Howarth,  Everett  Althaus,  Gilbert  Withrow,  Herman  Ehlers,  Laurence 
Guilfoyle,  Lester  Betz,  Ralph  Ultch,  Carl  Stamberger,  Vernon  Setchell, 
Elton  Stauffer,  Delman  Sondgeroth,  Frances  Simpson,  Donald  Richert, 
Erman  Olson,  Donald  Larrabee,  Guy  Keen,  Warren  Kidd. 

In  the  past  years  other  advisors  have  been  Sherwood  Jackson  and 
Fred  Morris. 

Meetings  are  held  monthly.  They  organize  at  the  start  of  each 
new  year,  when  committees  are  appointed  and  plans  are  made. 

The  club  is  self-financed  by  various  projects. 

The  main  event  each  year  is  the  parent-son  banquet.  Other  events 
are  leadership  camp  each  fall,  project  tours,  all-school  party,  bowling, 
swimming  and  checker  tournament 

Outstanding  graduates  in  recent  years  have  been  Marlin  Hoelzer, 
Kenneth  Piller,  Robert  Wilhelm,  Lyle  Truckenbrod,  and  Kenneth 
Finley. 

Each  spring  Mendota  F.F.A.  takes  part  in  sectional  public  speak- 
ing contests  as  well  as  parliamentary  procedure  training. 


THE  MENDOTA  KANTEEN 

the  mendota  YOUTH  center,  affectionately  known  as  the  Kan- 
teen,  has  just  celebrated  its  tenth  anniversary  with  the  outstanding 
record  of  being  the  only  youth  center  in  the  midwest  to  operate  as  a 
self-supporting  and  non-profit  organization  for  this  continuous  length 
of  time. 

The  Kanteen  was  conceived  and  organized  by  the  Mendota  Lions 
club  in  1943  and  patterned  after  the  student-operated  youth  center  in 
Moline,  which  has  since  failed.  Funds  were  solicited  and  two  floors  of 
the  old  Huss  and  Bush  shoe  store  on  Main  street  were  secured  for  the 
recreational  plans  being  drawn  up  by  the  high  school  students  and  the 
Lions'  boys  and  girls  committee.  Second  hand  furniture  and  equip- 
ment was  bought,  borrowed  and  begged  to  fill  the  space  and  require- 
ments of  a  teen  ager's  hangout.  These  things  have  since  been  replaced 
by  newer  and  better  pieces. 

The  Kanteen  is  operated  by  a  16-member  board  of  students,  repre- 
senting each  high  school  class  and  an  adult  supervisor.  A  board  of 
eight  mothers  takes  care  of  the  purchasing,  special  events,  chaperon- 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


465 


ing,  etc.  The  Kanteen  is  open  five  nights  a  week  and  is  supervised  and 
chaperoned  by  mothers  who  follow  a  rotating  system. 

Forms  of  recreation  provided  are  bowling  on  two  regulation  alleys, 
billiards,  pool,  shuffle  board,  ping  pong,  dancing,  juke  box,  pianos, 
soda  fountain,  special  program  each  Saturday  night  and  a  big  party 
once  a  month.  On  Sunday  night,  the  members  are  allowed  to  serve  as 
chaperones  with  the  assistance  of  one  adult. 

Financing  of  the  organization  is  done  by  charging  25c  per  person 
a  month,  an  annual  tag  day,  food  sale,  carnival,  public  dinners  and 
other  special  events  put  on  either  by  the  parents  or  the  members.  The 
Lions  club  shares  its  responsibility  of  the  organization  by  paying  for 
repairs  or  purchasing  equipment. 

Three  hundred  boys  and  girls  are  now  members  of  the  Kanteen 
and  many  of  the  former  ones  who  reside  in  Mendota  are  now  serving 
as  chaperones.  All  rules,  regulations,  forms  of  punishment,  and  plans 
are  made  by  the  young  people  themselves  which  probably  accounts 
for  the  success  of  the  Kanteen. 


CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 

organized  September  7,  1945,  by  a  group  of  foresighted  and 
civic-minded  citizens,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  had  L.  J.  Oester  as 
the  first  president.  Other  officers  were  Ralph  Jacob,  first  vice-presi- 
dent; C.  J.  Haynes,  second  vice-president;  Art  Goslin,  treasurer;  and 
A.  H.  Calderwood,  temporary  secretary. 

The  following  have  also  served  as  president  of  the  organization: 
John  Black,  1947;  Horace  Hume,  1948-1949;  Vic  Dernier,  1950;  Virgil 
M.  Scott,  1951;  E.  A.  Lorack,  1952;  and  J.  Chris  Serup,  1953. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  organized:  (1)  To  coordinate,  pro- 
mote and  develop  commerce,  business,  industry  and  trade  in  the  City 
of  Mendota  and  vicinity;  (2)  To  promote  and  assist  charitable,  benevo- 
lent, research,  educational,  civic,  patriotic,  athletic  and  recreational 
organizations  and  activities  in  the  City  of  Mendota  and  vicinity;  (3) 
To  promote  and  assist  agricultural  organizations  and  activities  and 
encourage  soil,  crop,  and  poultry  improvements  in  the  vicinity  of 
Mendota.  The  Chamber  has  always  tried  to  keep  these  purposes  upper- 
most when  considering  what  projects  and  activities  to  promote. 

In  October,  1945,  Walter  T.  Woodcock  was  selected  secretary- 
manager  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Offices  were  soon  opened  in 
their  present  location  at  71114  Washington  Street.    When  Mr.  Wood- 


466 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


cock  resigned  Frank  Gulick  was  named.  He  was  succeeded  in  April, 
1949,  by  Hubert  B.  Crow  present  secretary-manager. 

The  annual  sweet  corn  festival  is  a  project  of  the  Chamber.  This 
activity  has  given  Mendota  nationwide  publicity. 

Each  year  the  Chamber  holds  a  banquet  in  the  high  school  gym- 
nasium, the  first  being  held  December  13,  1945.  Some  outstanding 
speakers  have  been  presented  at  these  annual  dinner  meetings,  includ- 
ing Tom  Collins,  Edward  McFaul  and  Roberto  de  la  Rosa. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  striven  at  all  times  to  better  the 
town  of  Mendota  in  every  way  possible.  They  have  attempted  to  help 
the  city  solve  its  many  problems  and  to  carry  out  its  improvements. 
They  have  had  a  keen  interest  in  developing  new  housing,  bringing 
new  industries  into  Mendota,  and  the  promotion  of  the  Community 
Hospital. 


JUNIOR  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE 

IN  march,  1950,  four  members  of  the  Rock  Island  Junior  Chamber 
of  Commerce  met  with  a  group  of  Mendota  men  to  form  a  Jaycee 
organization  as  a  part  of  their  extension  program.  The  various  parts 
of  the  JAYCEE  program  were  explained.  This  same  group  returned 
to  Mendota  in  April  and  after  more  explanation  and  discussion  a  local 
constitution  was  drawn  up.  The  officers  for  this  new  organization  were 
elected,  as  follows:  president,  Harold  Stephenich;  external  vice-presi- 
dent, Robert  Krenz;  internal  vice-president,  Christ  Troupis;  treasurer, 
John  Henkel;  secretary,  Charles  Fahler;  state  director,  Hubert  Crow; 
Directors:    William  Faber,  Ray  Cook,  Hubert  Crow,  and  Dale  Archer. 

At  a  dinner  meeting  in  July  the  local  officers  were  installed  by 
visiting  guests,  State  President  L.  C.  McGlothlan,  Galesburg,  and  Na- 
tional Director  Dean  Madden,  Decatur. 

Regular  dinner  meetings  were  established  for  the  second  Wednes- 
day of  each  month  at  6:30  p.m.  in  the  Gold  Room  of  the  Hotel  Faber. 
Board  meetings  are  held  on  the  first  and  third  Wednesday  of  each 
month  at  8  p.m.  in  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  office. 

The  Mendota  Jaycees  entered  a  float  in  the  National  Jaycee  parade 
in  Chicago  that  first  year.  This  not  only  won  first  place  in  the  miscel- 
laneous float  division,  but  nation-wide  publicity  as  being  the  youngest 
Jaycees  at  that  time. 

Their  first  local  project  was  painting  street  names  on  the  curbs. 
They  sponsor  a  Hallowe'en  window  painting  contest  for  the  grade 
school  pupils.     Perhaps  their  most  outstanding  project  is  the  building 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


467 


of  the  Little  League  ball  diamond  and  forming  a  Little  League  in 
Mendota.  As  a  result  of  this  there  are  now  two  diamonds  in  Mendota, 
the  Little  League  diamond  and  the  newly  constructed  Pony  League 
diamond. 

Christ  Troupis  served  as  president  in  1951  and  1952.     Charles 
Fahler  served  next,  and  Fred  Swanson  is  the  present  president. 


LADIES  GOLF  CLUB 

back  IN  the  twenties  the  Mendota  Ladies  Golf  club  was  far 
different  than  it  is  now.  As  far  as  organization  is  concerned,  no 
records  have  been  kept,  but  in  actual  fact  business  was  much  the 
same. 

The  following  reminiscences  are  much  more  interesting  at  a  time 
like  this  than  cold  records,  —  or  naming  individuals  who  belonged 
and  who  by  now  have  stopped  playing,  moved  away  or  died. 

Dress  seems  to  be  much  the  talk  at  these  centennial  times;  so 
perhaps  a  few  observations  on  this  would  be  of  interest. 

Every  day  you  could  see  women  playing,  always  in  the  heat  of 
mid-day  or  early  afternoon.  They  were  bedecked  with  long  sleeved 
jackets,  a  sweater  or  two,  big  brimmed  hats  drawn  closer  to  their 
heads  by  long  white  rags  or  big  handkerchiefs  (they  could  not  be 
dubbed  scarves)  tied  under  their  chins  to  keep  on  the  monstrosity. 

Old  hose  had  been  saved  from  the  rag  bag  and  by  dissecting  the 
feet,  regardless  of  their  many  runs,  were  drawn  over  their  hands  and  up 
their  arms  where  they  were  held  in  place  by  tight  rubber  bands.  This 
assisted  in  keeping  what  sun  might  sift  through  the  other  paraphernalia 
from  coming  in  contact  with  the  flesh  of  the  golf  enthusiast,  causing 
what  is  now  one  of  the  most  desired  effects  —  a  sun  tan.  Long  skirts 
were  worn,  never  any  anklets;  and  never,  never  bare  legs.  Strange  as 
it  may  seem,  everyone  wore  "golf  mitts".  Some  even  had  them  on 
both  hands.    This  serious  armour  meant  serious  golf  on  the  course. 

Much  advice  was  given  then  as  now  on  the  art  of  playing.  In- 
structions were  given  mostly  by  individuals  rather  than  professionals 
as  now.  It  is  an  amazing  thing,  but  people  played  seemingly  as  low 
scores  then  as  now.  Maybe  their  costume  had  something  to  do  with 
it.    Who  knows? 

Then  there  were  those  terrific  scramble  dinners  held  every  Wednes- 
day. Each  brought  her  own  table  service  and  a  covered  dish.  Eating 
was  the  main  entertainment  on  those  days,  as  well  as  an  alibi  for  poor 
scores.    Wednesday  was  an  all  around  day,  participated  in  by  many 


468 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


bridge  players  who  never  chased  the  little  white  ball  around  the  course. 
These  Wednesdays  were  banner  days.  The  town  offered  little  else  in 
those  times. 

The  first  "club  house"  was  a  shack  from  the  miniature  golf  course 
belonging  to  Frank  Schwarz,  and  moved  to  the  present  location. 
Through  the  efforts  of  the  lady  golfers  it  was  remodeled  three  times, 
but  the  last  one  was  done  entirely  by  the  male  members.  The  women 
cleaned,  painted,  and  raised  money  for  additional  equipment  which 
is  now  in  use  in  the  present  building. 

We  must  not  forget  the  small  caddies  that  were  running  around. 
The  mechanical  cart  has  been  accepted  to  promote  the  game  and  lessen 
the  effort,  but  one  sort  of  misses  the  caddy. 

No  more  do  you  see  sights  like  these  at  the  golf  course.  It  has 
gotten  out  of  its  swaddling  clothes  and  fledged  into  an  aristocratic  club. 
1953  finds  it  an  active,  growing  organization. 


4H  CLUB 

4h  is  a  group  of  young  people  brought  together  in  organized  work 
and  play  under  the  guidance  of  a  4H  club  leader  in  order  to  develop 
good  citizenship,  sound  intelligence,  high  moral  standards,  better 
health,  and  good  fellowship. 

4H  Club  work  is  a  part  of  the  extension  service  in  agriculture  and 
home  economics  carried  on  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  and 
various  colleges  and  universities. 

To  be  an  achievement  member  a  boy  or  girl  must:  1.  complete 
all  requirements  of  one  project;  2.  give  a  talk  or  demonstration; 
3.  exhibit  product;  4.  complete  record  book  to  be  checked  by  the 
leader;  5.  attend  2/3  of  the  meetings  after  enrollment. 

The  first  4H  Club  in  La  Salle  County  was  organized  in  1924. 

The  first  record  of  any  4H  Club  in  Mendota  is  1929.  The  first 
leaders  of  which  there  is  any  record  are  Mrs.  Ed  Brown,  Mrs.  Hoeger, 
and  Mrs.  Witte  in  1931.  The  club  organized  in  1929  was  named  the 
"Humming  Birds." 

Other  leaders  through  the  years  have  been:  Mrs.  Robert  Erbes, 
Mrs.  Leon  Burright,  Mrs.  Clayton  Minch,  Mrs.  Carl  Betz,  Mrs.  Harvey 
Cook,  Mrs.  Jacob  Schilt,  Mrs.  Bert  Hotchkiss,  Mrs.  Roland  Truckenbrod, 
Mrs.  Glen  Lines,  and  Mrs.  William  Auchstetter. 

The  present  club  is  known  as  "Teens  of  Today"  and  has  23  mem- 
bers.   The  leaders  are  Mrs.  Glen  Lines  and  Mrs.  William  Auchstetter. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP         469 


HOSPITAL  AUXILIARY 

IN  October,  1949,  while  visiting  the  People's  hospital  at  Peru  with 
members  of  the  medical  committee  for  the  Mendota  Hospital  Founda- 
tion, Dr.  Edgar  Cook  became  interested  in  organizing  a  Women's 
Hospital  auxiliary.  After  conferring  with  Mrs.  Cook  they  took  im- 
mediate action  by  presenting  the  idea  to  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
hospital.  November  19,  1949,  the  board  passed  a  resolution  authorizing 
the  establishment  of  the  Women's  Auxiliary  to  the  Mendota  Hospital 
Foundation. 

On  December  9,  1949,  a  meeting  was  called  at  the  Lutheran  parish 
house.  All  women's  organizations  in  and  around  Mendota  were  asked 
to  send  representatives,  and  all  interested  were  urged  to  attend.  At 
this  meeting  temporary  officers  were  elected:  president,  Mrs.  Harvey 
Barth ;  vice-president,  Mrs.  Howard  Rapp ;  secretary,  Miss  Ruth  Karger ; 
treasurer,  Mrs.  Harold  Dean. 

Committees  were  appointed,  by-laws  and  constitution  drawn  up 
and  the  first  annual  meeting  was  held  April  15,  1950.  Temporary 
officers  were  elected  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  year.  At  this  time  a 
membership  of  over  1700  was  reported. 

Immediately  work  began.  Bed  sheets,  pillow  cases,  hospital  gowns, 
draw  sheets,  tray  cloths,  napkins  and  operating  caps  were  made  and 
stored  until  a  suitable  storage  room  was  completed  in  the  hospital. 

In  the  summer  fruits  and  vegetables  were  canned  and  stored. 
Many  items  were  purchased,  such  as  dishes,  glassware,  utensils,  trays, 
and  bedding.     Sewing  days  were  held  all  year. 

Many  schemes  for  making  money  have  been  employed:  food 
sales,  sponsoring  movies,  serving  dinners,  community  auction,  tag  day, 
magazine  subscriptions,  and  a  hobby  show.  Money  realized  from  these 
plus  the  dues  of  Si  a  member  or  $100  for  a  life  member  enable  the 
auxiliary  to  do  many  wonderful  things  they  have  been  doing  for  the 
hospital. 

Before  the  formal  opening  of  the  Hospital  the  Auxiliary  worked 
faithfully  cleaning  and  making  ready  for  that  great  day.  For  several 
months  after  the  opening  many  members  acted  as  volunteer  office 
workers. 

Auxiliary  units  have  also  been  organized  in  LaMoille,  Perkins 
Grove,  Ophir,  Compton,  Meriden,  Troy  Grove,  Clarion,  Triumph, 
Peterstown,  Earlville,  Chicago  Road,  West  Brooklyn,  Arlington,  Paw 
Paw,  and  Brooklyn  Lutheran  Church. 

Miss  Ruth  Karger  and  Mrs.  Frank  Prescott  have  also  served  as 
presidents.    Mrs.  Frank  Fassig  is  president  in  1953. 


470 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP 


Members  are  signed  up  each  year  and  the  auxiliary  now  boasts  of 
1800  members. 

Last  year  $1000  was  given  toward  the  completion  of  the  new  wing, 
and  the  main  portion  of  this  year's  earnings  will  be  spent  for  equipping 
this  new  wing. 


NURSE'S  CLUB 

the  MENDOTA  nurse's  club  was  organized  at  the  Harris  hospital 
September  7,  1943,  but  did  not  receive  an  official  name  until  October 
5,  1943. 

The  initial  membership  was  made  up  of  registered  nurses,  practical 
nurses  and  lay  personnel  employed  at  the  hospital. 

Mrs.  Mabel  Schreck  was  the  first  president  and  Miss  Velma  Baum- 
gartner  was  the  first  secretary  and  treasurer. 

The  club  has  been  both  a  social  and  a  service  group,  and  now 
with  the  establishment  of  the  new  Mendota  Community  hospital,  it  has 
become  a  professional  organization  as  well. 

Recent  projects  of  the  club  have  included  the  purchase  of  equip- 
ment for  the  laboratory  at  the  hospital,  a  gift  of  insulin  for  a  patient 
and  a  recent  donation  for  a  portable  light  and  additional  instruments 
for  the  surgical  department.  The  members  also  assist  at  the  Red  Cross 
blood  bank. 

The  current  officers  are  Miss  Esther  Forth,  president,  and  Miss 
Lucille  Matychowiak,  secretary  and  treasurer. 


MENDOTA  ACCORDION  BAND 

with  GLADYS  LAMBERTON  of  Mendota  as  teacher,  the  accordion 
band  was  organized  in  1948  under  the  direction  of  Ray  Bannon  of 
LaSalle. 

Practices  were  held  once  a  week  in  the  social  rooms  of  the  Meth- 
odist church. 

In  the  fall  of  1948  the  band  parents  organization  was  formed 
with  Floyd  L.  Wells  as  president;  Mrs.  Ed  Engelhardt,  Paw  Paw, 
vice-pres.;  Mrs.  Lile  Erickson,  secretary  and  treasurer.  Mrs.  Bert 
Rott  and  Harold  Schlesinger  were  advisers. 

There  were  about  30  members  in  the  original  band.  After  a 
few  months  of  practice  a  second  band  was  begun  to  take  care  of  the 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE    STOP         471 


many  wanting  to  play.  That  first  year  there  were  about  50  playing 
in  the  two  bands. 

Later  on  the  band  held  its  rehearsals  at  the  Mendota  Odd  Fellows 
hall  where  it  continued  until  the  fall  of  1952  when  it  moved  to  the 
Conco  display  building. 

The  band  has  been  in  the  parade  at  the  sweet  corn  festival  and 
also  given  concerts.      It  also  had  its  own  queen  represented. 

Its  first  public  concert  was  given  on  April  28,  1949,  in  the  Mendota 
high  school.  Two  local  concerts  have  been  given  since.  The  group 
has  played  in  many  towns  around  Mendota  as  well  as  being  in  parades. 

Many  of  the  original  members  are  not  with  the  band  at  present 
but  there  is  still  a  nice  group  who  are  under  the  leadership  of  Ray 
Chaon.  A  fine  young  band  is  coming  on,  with  Miss  Shirley  Ras- 
mussen,  of  Ladd,  as  teacher  and  leader. 

Mrs.  Henry  Faber  of  Amboy  and  Mrs.  Oliver  Chaon  of  West 
Brooklyn  have  acted  as  president  the  past  years. 

The  1953  officers  are:  Floyd  L.  Wells,  President;  Harold  Schle- 
singer,    vice-president;    and    Floyd    Blotch,    secretary    and    treasurer. 

The  board  members  are:  Wilbur  Zinke,  Mendota,  Mrs.  Oliver 
Chaon,  West  Brooklyn;  Mrs.  George  Goetz,  LaMoille;  Floyd  P. 
Shibson,  Lostant. 


WEST  END  CLUB 

The  first  meeting  of  this  club  was  a  picnic  at  the  Al  Prescott  home 
on  July  4,  1904.  It  began  as  a  Larkih  club.  Mrs.  Dana  Miller  has  been 
president  since  the  club's  inception.  It  is  a  service  club,  active  in  Red 
Cross  work  and  in  sewing  for  the  hospital.  There  are  25  members. 
Four  of  the  original  members  are  still  in  the  group,  including  Mrs.  Dana 
Miller,  Mrs.  Sarah  Martin,  Mrs.  Tom  Brown  (now  of  Aurora),  and  Mrs. 
Dorsey  Deaner  Sr. 


ORGANIZATIONS  WITHIN 
CHURCHES 

Churches,  whose  histories  are  written  in  another  chapter,  have 
many  hard-working  organizations  which  meet  regularly  and  keep  alive 
the  religious  and  social  activities  within  their  groups.  Among  these 
organizations  are: 


472 


MAGNIFICENT    WHISTLE    STOP 


First  Baptist  Church  —  TuXis  Class,  Junior  BY  Fellowship,  Junior- 
Hi  BY  Fellowship,  Philathea  Class,  and  Missionary  Society. 

Methodist  Church  —  Woman's  Society  of  Christian  Service,  Meth- 
odist Youth  Fellowship,  Methodist  Men,  Junior  Choir,  Senior  Choir, 
First  Sunday  Nighters,  Young  Married  Couples,  Young  Adult  Group, 
Boy  Scouts,  Excelsior  Circle,  and  four  Women's  Circles. 

Holy  Cross  Catholic  Church  —  St.  Mary's  Altar  and  Rosary  Socie- 
ty, Catholic  Daughters  of  America,  Holy  Name  Society. 

First  Presbyterian  Church  —  The  Women's  Association,  King's 
Daughters  Class,  Young  Adult  Club,  Senior-High  Westminster  Fellow- 
ship, Junior-High  Westminster  Fellowship. 

Evangelical-United  Brethren  Church  —  Women's  Society  of  World 
Service,  Youth  Fellowship,  Men's  Brotherhood,  Young  Adult  Fellow- 
ship, True  Blue  Class,  Little  Heralds,  and  Mission  Band. 

St.  John's  Lutheran  Church  —  Ladies  Aid,  Young  Adult  Group, 
Women's  Missionary  Society,  Jr.  Mission  Band,  Brotherhood,  Wartburg 
League. 

Advent  Christian  Church  —  Women's  Home  and  Foreign  Mission 
Society,  Young  People's  Society,  and  Junior  Young  People's  Society. 

Church  of  the  Nazarene  —  Nazarene  Young  People's  Society, 
Junior  Society,  and  Nazarene  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 


MAGNIFICENT   WHISTLE   STOP 


473 


MAGNIFICENT 
WHISTLE  STOP 

The  100- year  story 
of  Mendota,  Illinois 

"Let  me  know  the  city,  and  I  will  tell 
you  about   its  peoples."  — Anon. 

NO  monument  ever  erected  so  honest- 
ly reflects  man  as  the  city  in  which  he 
lives.  In  its  rise  or  fall,  success  or 
failure  is  mirrored  the  collective  rise  or 
fall,    success   or   failure   of   its   people. 

Magnificent  Whistle  Stop  is  the  lusty 
story  of  a  lusty  city,  Mendota,  Illinois. 
Located  midway  between  Chicago  and 
the  Great  Mississippi  to  the  East  and 
West,  and  Rockford  and  Peoria  to  the 
North  and  South,  its  story  is  truly 
representative  of  a  fabulous  century,  a 
century  in  which  the  heart  of  our  nation 
developed  from  a  wilderness  to  a  citadel. 

But  this  is  no  dry  recitation  of  facts. 
It  is  alive  with  action,  humor,  glitter, 
romance,  disaster  and  achievement;  it 
runs  the  whole  gamut  of  human  emo- 
tion. 

Here  is  the  whole  story  of  Mendota, 
from  the  first  invasion  by  the  Iron 
Horses  of  the  Burlington  and  Illinois 
Central  railroads  in  1853  to  the  Cen- 
tennial Jubilee  of   1953. 

You'll  cringe  before  the  fury  of  a 
thundering  tornado;  watch  in  helpless 
shock  as  your  community  goes  up  in 
smoke  before  your  eyes;  laugh  as  the 
city    council    becomes   more    and    more 


/f  •> 


deeply  enmeshed  in  the  Artesian  well 
fiasco;  marvel  as  a  hardy  people  again 
and  again  rebuild  a  city  alternately 
devastated    by    fire,    flood,    and    storm. 

And  what  people  you'll  meet!  Bold 
frontiersmen  and  their  calico-dressed 
belles,  gawdy  promoters,  courageous 
planners,  humble  servants  of  God  — 
they're  all  here,  collaborating  in  harmo- 
ny one  minute  and  brawling  the  next 
as  they  carve  their  monument  from  the 
swamps   of   LaSalle   county. 

Publication  of  Magnificent  Whistle 
Stop  has  been  the  year-long  project  of 
Mendota's  Centennial  Jubilee  history 
committee.  It  is  the  work  of  75  writers, 
researchers  and  editors  who  invaded  all 
known  (and  many  hitherto  unknown) 
alleys  in  their  quest  for  the  real  Mendota 
story. 

On  nearly  every  page  of  this  saga 
lurks  those  colorful  or  whimsical  little 
tales  that  lend  human,  living  flesh  to 
the  bones  of  solid  history.  This  story, 
then,  is  not  one  for  browsing.  Bacon 
in  his  essay  on  books  said  it:  "Some 
few  books  are  to  be  chewed  and  di- 
gested." 

Magnificent  W'histle  Stop  is  a  must 
for  the  bookshelves  of  those  who  live 
in  and  about  the  city  or  who  have  been 
involved  in  any  phase  of  the  growth 
and    commerce   of   the    community. 

More  than  that,  however,  it  is  the 
story  of  the  Great  Midwest  itself,  and  a 
valuable  and  colorful  review  of  the 
last  100  years  in  the  agricultural  heart 


of  the  nation. 


ME 


N